Ja’Maira Goodwyn typically isn’t the biggest fan of English assignments. But when the computer science major enrolled in an English Composition course this spring, she was tasked with a new kind of writing project – a Wikipedia assignment – which brought together her interest in representation and her technological skills to drive real-world impact.
“Researching something I was passionate about was fun,” said Goodwyn, a sophomore at Wentworth Institute of Technology. “I find most English assignments exhausting and uninteresting, so this was a breath of fresh air. More teachers should be doing this with their students.”
For her assignment, Goodwyn set out to improve and expand the Wikipedia article on Jane Green, a medical geneticist with a career spanning more than 40 years.
“Jane Green has done so much for not only her patients and their families but also for the industry as a whole,” said Goodwyn, explaining her article choice. “Her research on hereditary diseases and improvements made to screening programs have helped save many lives, and she should be recognized for that.”
Most people head straight to Wikipedia to learn about anything and everything, noted Goodwyn. The student editor emphasized the importance of improving and expanding biography articles, explaining that readers are more likely to engage with and feel connected to figures who have well-documented histories on the site.
Inspired by both Green’s accomplishments and her dedication to patients, Goodwyn hopes readers of the improved article come away with a better understanding of the work of geneticists, and maybe even feel moved to join the field.
“Women in STEM should be showcased accurately for all their hard work,” said Goodwyn. “Young girls interested in STEM need to be able to find inspiration from other women’s journeys, and that wouldn’t be possible if there is little information about these impactful women.”
With a background in web design, Goodwyn particularly enjoyed organizing the article’s layout, bringing both structure and clarity to the geneticist’s story. While the research process was demanding – especially navigating Wikipedia’s rigorous referencing and image guidelines – Goodwyn appreciated the opportunity to learn more about research and referencing through the assignment.
“Wikipedia is very strict on how articles are written, and trying to meet these demands has helped me develop more professional writing skills that I can apply to my career at any point,” said Goodwyn.
After completing her degree, Goodwyn plans to pursue a career in software development and other digital applications for clean energy companies – and when she comes across an article in need, she’ll lend her skills to Wikipedia.
Goodwyn’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.
