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'Everybody can do science'

PhilSA urges public to use open data science during disasters, emergencies

Published Jun 19, 2023 12:45 pm
Recognizing the importance of information before, during, and after disasters, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Monday, June 19, called on the public to use Open Data Kit (ODK) application. 
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) hosted a press conference on Citizen Science for Space Data Mobilization on June 19, 2023 at the PhilSA Conference Room, Quezon City. (Photo credit to PhilSA)
In a media conference held at the PhilSA Conference Room, Quezon City, PhilSa discussed how the stakeholders and the general public can help with data science mobilization during disasters and emergencies by using open-source data applications.  ODK is an open data source application that grants everyone to take and contribute information “before, during, and after disasters.”   Senior Science Research Specialist Kristine Bantay explained how an ordinary citizen contributes to scientific knowledge through citizen science. “Everybody can do science, and the contribution of each one of us is important in building scientific knowledge that would benefit society,” Bantay said in the press conference.  Meanwhile, Computer Maintenance Technologist II for High-Performance Computing and Information Services Division (HPCISD), Randy Beros explained the importance of citizen science and urges everyone to participate by sharing information.  “Citizen science is science for the people, by the people, and science is built on information and facts," Beros said. "With this, we encourage everyone to contribute information, when possible, through available tools,” he added. Beros also pointed out that the ODK is a “free and open-source set of toolkits that enables data collection using mobile devices.”  He mentioned that the application has “Active Developer Support” which is trusted across sectors such as the World Health Organization; the Philippine Red Cross; the World Food Program; the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction; and the Foundation for International Community Assistance. While ODK is accessible and available on any Android device, PhilSA ensured that all the information will be “validated” to make that all the data are reliable and helpful for the public.  Roel de la Cruz, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division (SDMAD), explained the importance of data gathered from the ODK. “These data augment the report gathering that can be used in prioritizing satellite taskings in times of disasters and emergencies, and also in verifying space-based mapping outputs and improve the algorithms used,” de la Cruz said.  Here is the link for those interested in downloading the ODK: [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.odk.collect.android&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.odk.collect.android&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1) PhilSA also provided a quick response (QR) code for the public to access the ODK Pinas network room, where ordinary citizens may upload pictures during disasters and emergencies.

(Sonny Daanoy)

 (Photo credit to Philsa)  

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