Using data to address community health challenges

Data Detectives: Using Real Data to Solve Real Community Health Problems

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-10918240

This study is all about helping middle school students from diverse backgrounds learn how to use big data to tackle health issues in their communities, making science and math fun and relevant while encouraging them to think about future careers in STEM.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-10918240 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on teaching under-represented middle school students how to use population-level Big Data to assess and address community health issues. By implementing a hands-on, problem-based curriculum, students will learn important science and mathematics concepts while applying data science principles to real-world health problems. The program aims to engage students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from rural and lower socio-economic communities, to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM fields. The evaluation of the program will measure improvements in students' understanding and application of these concepts.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are middle school students, particularly those from under-represented minority groups and lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Not a fit: Students who are not in middle school or those from backgrounds that are already well-represented in STEM fields may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower students from under-represented backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM, ultimately improving community health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other educational programs focusing on experiential learning and data science have shown success in improving student engagement and understanding in STEM fields.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.