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BHNHS Mosquito Risk Mapping Project

Jun 10, 2018

10 June 2018 (Sunday), Quezon City, Philippines.

“When you gotta get data... you just have to do it! Because that is what researchers do”, said Ms. Joan Bilasano Callope, Batasan Hills National High School (BHNHS), GLOBE Master Trainer. Six (6) Science Technology Engineering (STE) students and Two (2) Biology teachers from BHNHS braved the rains and wet weather conditions to collect water samples from the Batasan River and other areas in Batasan, Quezon City, as Tropical Storm Domeng (Maliksi) exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) just hours ago. Yesterday (9 June 2018), TS Domeng intensified into a severe tropical storm and poured heavy rains and strong winds in Quezon City and parts of Luzon and the Visayas. But this didn’t stop the two (2) public science high school teachers to pass on a learning opportunity — not even, Sunday!

But, why do it now? Why do it under the rain in very muddy conditions, asked by the writer? “It’s the perfect time to collect samples, to show students how rain affects pH levels of bodies of water by comparing them with previous data we collected... besides, braving the elements instills proper discipline and attitude to these budding young scientist... and it’s more fun for the students isn’t it? Of course, safey comes first, that is why we have people from the Barangay to assist us, thanks to Barangay Captain Jojo Abad, and Purok Leader Albert Toldanes” — Ms. Callope said.

Ms. Babie Noreen Clemente, Master Teacher, BHNHS added: “Data collection should not be limited to conditions that are favourable to researchers... oftentimes, scientists need to get their hands dirty... scientists in white lab coats are stereotypes... this is groundwork science.”

Dengue has been a perinneal problem in Batasan Hills, Q.C. In recent years, Batasan Hills has been in the list of Dengue Hot Zones in the country, while being exposed to risk of other mosquito borne diseases such as Malaria, Chikungunya, Zika, and similar others. Inspired and motivated by their intentions to help their community and mitigate the impacts of infectious diseases from mosquito vectors, STE students from BHNHS led by their Research Advisers: Ms. Babie Noreen Clemente and Ms. Joan Bilasano Callope are conducting “Hazard and Risk Mapping of Mosquito Borne Diseases” in Batasan Hills using GLOBE Mosquito Protocols and the GLOBE Habitat Mosquito Mapper App. Their objective is to identify different types of mosquito larvae and their habitats, as well as determine correlations between types of mosquito larvae and water conditions/ properties (e.g. pH level, turbidity, temperature, etc.). They hope to present their research in the upcoming 2018 GLOBE Taiwan Science Festival in Taichung, Taiwan, this July 19 - 23.

The students used the Mosquito Kit provided by GLOBE during the Asia-Pacific Regional Mosquito Training in Hanoi, held last May 10 - 12, 2018, plus, laboratory equipments provided by the Philippine Science High School (PSHS). They had fun manipulating the microscope and observing larvae using a Microscope Lens Smart Phone Attachment.

BHNHS and the PSHS System will be conducting regional and country mosquito training in September and October 2018. Interested GLOBE teachers/ schools may contact Rod Allan A. De Lara, GLOBE (Philippines) Country Coordinator for more info.