Within the framework of DxHub, a citizen science project is being developed at Agrupamento de Escolas de Paço de Arcos (SCPA), in a collaboration ith the Ciência + Cidadã Programme and with the support of the Municipality of Oeiras. The initiative engages students in scientific practices related to the analysis of waterborne pathogens, with a particular focus on Legionella spp., including the use of a point-of-care (PoC) device currently being developed by STAB VIDA. The data generated by the students will contribute to the validation of this rapid and portable test for Legionella detection, supporting infection prevention and the control of epidemiological outbreaks. The project aims to strengthen scientific literacy in health, foster civic participation, and bring students closer to research, innovation, and the challenges affecting their own community.

The “Youth for Diagnostics” initiative is part of the first organized Citizen Science program in Crete with the participation of 18 schools, the Science Labs Centers (EKFE) of Heraklion, and 40 secondary education teachers from the wider Heraklion area. The goal of this STEAM initiative is to place students in the role of scientists, promoting active citizen participation in scientific research. Students, acting as citizen-scientists, are expected to participate in real scientific efforts, assisting researchers in answering questions related to the environment and public health issues, while equiped with knowledge and skills for water microbiology and the development and use of field-deployable diagnostic technologies. The ultimate goal of the program is the creation of a diagnostic tool for detecting microorganisms in water by the students.
The project is co-organized by the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), the University of Crete, the Technical Schools of the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce (KEK), the Natural History Museum, the Region of Crete, and the National Public Health Organization (EODY).

Aedes Hunters invites everyone living in or visiting Crete to help researchers and public health organizations with a citizen science effort aiming to: let us know if you spot the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. This mosquito species is not currently known to be present in Crete.
The initiative runs under two European programmes, DxHub (Project No. 101186531) and MicroBioPest (Project No. 101087110), in partnership with the Region of Crete.
Why are we looking for it? We don’t know whether Aedes aegypti will ever reach Crete. But climate change is making some parts of the Mediterranean more suitable for it than they used to be, so we’d rather be ready than caught off guard. If someone does spot it early, public health authorities have a much better chance of bringing it under control before it can settle in, Such an example is the Aedes eradication in the Canary Islands, where an early report in 2017 allowed for a fast, effective response.
You don’t need to be an expert. If you see a mosquito that looks like it might be a match, just report it. This way, you help us keep a clear picture of what’s actually on the island.