“Physics is open to everyone.”
This clear conviction is what led sophomore Jalane Mendo to create a new biography article as part of her Wikipedia assignment — and exactly what she hopes readers will take away from the online encyclopedia’s new article on physicist Enrique Jose Galvez.
“Professor Galvez has made significant contributions to physics education and the field of atomic and optical physics,” said Mendo. “Creating an article helps readers get a better overview of his work and understand more clearly the impact he has had on both scientific research and student learning.”
Beyond the research and writing process, the project carried personal meaning for Mendo, a physics major.
“It is important for students, especially those from underrepresented groups, to learn about physicists from diverse backgrounds,” explained Mendo. “Seeing people like themselves succeed in physics can help them recognize that physics is open to everyone, and inspire them to pursue it as well.”
Mendo’s favorite part of the experience came early on, as she tracked down and sifted through sources to construct a more complete narrative of Galvez’s career.
“I liked the whole process of turning raw information from multiple sources into a finished article,” said Mendo. “My favorite part was the initial stage of gathering the information to include in the article. It felt like putting puzzle pieces together to create a meaningful picture.”
Through the research process, the student editor developed skills she expects to carry well past graduation. Mendo plans to pursue a research career in astrophysics, and sees a direct line between the habits she developed as a Wikipedia editor and the ones she’ll need in the lab.
“I learned how to look for reliable resources, provide proper citations, and present the information I gather in a concise and clear manner,” said Mendo. “The skills I learned throughout this assignment will definitely be applicable in scientific research.”
But not every part of the process came easily. Mendo, new to editing Wikipedia, noted that the encyclopedia’s guidelines and policies took some getting used to, especially the policy against adding original research, which ensures that editors contribute information verified in published sources.
“It felt limiting, but considering Wikipedia’s focus on neutrality and reliability, it makes a lot of sense,” said Mendo.
The assignment stood apart from anything else she had encountered in her coursework so far, Mendo explained.
“The Wikipedia assignment felt very different from other assignments I’ve had in college,” said Mendo. “It felt a little intimidating at first, but going through the training modules gave me a better sense of direction and helped me understand what was expected. Overall, it was a great experience, and I enjoyed contributing valuable knowledge that could reach people beyond my local college community.”
For Mendo, that responsibility is part of what makes editing Wikipedia feel so significant.
“Many people use Wikipedia as their first step in learning about a topic, so it plays a big role in shaping their initial understanding,” said Mendo. “What is included in an article also influences what readers focus on and explore further.”
The project also led Mendo to an unexpected discovery about the vast reach and scope of Wikipedia.
“One thing that surprised me was that Wikipedia has articles in languages other than English,” said Mendo. “It even has articles in my first language!”
And that global reach means Mendo’s contribution won’t stay confined to her classroom or campus. Thanks to her work, readers everywhere can now learn about Galvez and his career in physics — a reminder that knowledge, like physics, should be open to everyone.
Jalane Mendo’s work on Wikipedia is part of a larger Wiki Education initiative sponsored by the Broadcom Foundation, which supports the improvement of existing biographies and the creation of new biographies of unsung figures 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.
