Stars and STEM Stories

GLOBE Mauritius: Teen Scientists Work to Alleviate Mosquito Threats

Armed with test tubes and magnifying glasses, a team of grade-11 students from Piton State College in Pitan, Mauritius, became mosquito hunters during an intensive 8-week scientific mission. Funded by a YLACES Grant and guided by their dedicated teacher, Dr. Patrick Bernard Gabriel Long, these young researchers turned their campus into a living laboratory to combat mosquito-borne diseases.  

The investigation began with students mapping high-risk zones around their school, discovering unexpected breeding grounds in forgotten water containers and clogged drains. Using professional-grade equipment from their YLACES grant, the team collected startling data: certain stagnant water sites showed pH levels and temperatures that created perfect conditions for mosquitoes to thrive. 

Using the GLOBE Observer app, students could identify the mosquito species in their community, finding disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

The project culminated in an impactful community presentation where students demonstrated simple but effective solutions. Their "Mosquito-Free Mauritius" campaign educated hundreds of community members through vivid posters showing how regularly changing flowerpot water and cleaning gutters could break the breeding cycle. 

The team's research was uploaded to the GLOBE’s open-source database, contributing to international mosquito ecology studies. 

More than just a school project, this initiative created real change. The school administration implemented weekly drain inspections, and students formed a permanent "Mosquito Watch" club. As the young scientists prepare to expand their research across seasons, they've proven that even teenagers can make groundbreaking contributions to community health when given the right tools and guidance. 

Key Achievements: 

• Mapped 10 high-risk breeding sites in the community 
• Trained 30+ students in professional field research techniques 
• Contributed data to global GLOBE mosquito ecology database 

Learn more about GLOBE Mauritius. 

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Story and main photo courtesy of Patrick Bernard Gabriel Long. 

Mosquito photo, "Mosquito Aedes aegypti" by Kmaluhia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 

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