Biology major Devani Rodriguez-Rangel is a recent graduate of Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Georgia. As part of her Wikipedia assignment, Devani improved the Wikipedia article focused on environmental scientist Miriam Rodón Naveira.
1. Why was it important to add more information to Miriam Rodón Naveira’s Wikipedia article? What did you hope readers would take away from your contributions?
For me, it was important to add information to Miriam Rodón Naveira’s Wikipedia article because it helps shine a spotlight on an underrepresented group of people in STEM, specifically Latina women. When editing this article, I aimed to highlight a fuller scope of Rodón Naveira’s career, emphasizing both the breadth of her work and the impact she has had on inspiring youth and future scientists.
2. Was your work on Wikipedia meaningful to you? In what way?
This project was especially meaningful to me because it was about more than just researching a scientist. It was about honoring someone whose work and story resonate deeply with me. The time and effort I put into finding reliable information on Rodón Naveira reflected my own hopes as a Latina pursuing a career in STEM. I am the first college graduate in my family, and specifically the first female college graduate. This project felt like a reflection of the generational ceilings I am working to break. It reminded me of the power of visibility and recognition, and how stories like Rodón Naveira’s provide hope for future generations of Latinos, women, and scientists. Being recognized for what may seem like small but impactful contributions is one of the main reasons I have chosen this path.
3. What kinds of skills did you learn along the way?
I learned the value of conducting unbiased research and the importance of taking the time to find real, reliable sources when writing about influential figures. This is especially relevant to me as a prospective college professor. Engaging in this kind of research helps students recognize the gaps and barriers that minorities often face in science, and it shows how we can begin to address those challenges simply by telling their stories accurately and responsibly. It’s a small but meaningful way to help close that gap. As an aspiring professor, I’ve been inspired by Dr. Timpte’s approach to helping students engage deeply with these issues, and I hope to carry that same mindset into my own teaching.
4. How would you describe Wikipedia’s role in shaping public awareness of people like Miriam Rodón Naveira?
Knowing that Wikipedia is a widely used public resource, I felt a deep sense of responsibility while contributing to this project. It made me reflect on how easily a person’s legacy can be shaped by what is written and shared online. For many, Wikipedia may be the first or only place they learn about someone’s life and work. That makes it all the more meaningful to ensure the information is accurate and thoughtful, because it has the potential to honor and carry forward that legacy for years to come.
5. How did you feel about the Wikipedia assignment compared to a traditional assignment?
The Wikipedia assignment was one of the most impactful experiences in my college career. It felt like a meaningful contribution to how science and scientists are represented in public spaces. It’s never too late to honor individuals like Rodón Naveira and to help build a reliable source of information in an internet landscape that is constantly growing and changing. What makes this especially powerful is Wikipedia’s commitment to neutrality, accuracy, and unbiased content, offering factual information on an endless range of topics. Being part of that effort was both rewarding and significant.
6. What was your favorite part of editing Wikipedia?
My favorite part of editing Wikipedia was knowing that the information I added could remain there for a very long time. Thinking about her family, her great-great grandchildren and beyond, having the opportunity to learn about their heritage and the contributions Rodón Naveira has made to science made the work feel especially meaningful. I hope that my additions to the article help show that Rodón Naveira and Latina women in STEM like her are seen, recognized, and valued.
7. What was your least favorite part?
My least favorite part of editing Wikipedia was having to dig through what felt like the depths of the internet, only to find very little information about someone who deserved much better representation. It really put into perspective how much more work is needed to better represent minority groups in STEM.
8. Will you continue to edit?
I hope to continue making edits in the future. It was truly an honor to play a role in recognizing an important yet underrepresented figure. I want to keep contributing to change how minorities are often overlooked and ensure their stories are properly acknowledged.
Devani’s work on Wikipedia is part of a larger Wiki Education initiative sponsored by the Broadcom Foundation, which supports creating and improving biographies of diverse people in STEM on Wikipedia.
Interested in incorporating a Wikipedia assignment into your course? Visit teach.wikiedu.org to learn more about the free resources, digital tools, and staff support that Wiki Education offers to postsecondary instructors in the United States and Canada.
