Wikimedia Israel runs unique educational programs for outstanding and gifted students, enabling them to move from being mere consumers of knowledge to active content creators on Wikipedia. As part of the program, participants write and improve encyclopedic articles on various topics, while developing research, writing, and knowledge-sharing skills for the general public.
Why is this important?
Outstanding and gifted students seek meaningful intellectual challenges. Writing for Wikipedia gives them the opportunity to deeply explore fascinating subjects, present scientific and academic information in clear and accessible language, and make a real contribution to society. In addition, working on article writing strengthens academic skills such as source searching, information analysis, and critical writing—and also develops critical thinking and a deep understanding of knowledge creation processes in an age of information overload. These are essential skills for any future researcher or academic.
How does it work?
The program includes several key stages:
- Introductory lecture on Wikipedia – A fascinating overview of the world of open knowledge, Wikipedia’s principles, the wisdom of the crowd, and encyclopedic writing.
- Academic writing workshop – Students learn how to write encyclopedic articles, how to locate and evaluate information sources, and how to edit texts according to Wikipedia’s guidelines.
- Article creation process – Each participant chooses a topic from an approved list, conducts independent research, writes a draft, receives feedback, and makes revisions.
- Final meeting and publication – Students, together with professional instructors and Wikipedia volunteers, publish the written articles to Wikipedia’s public space.
What makes the program special?
- Enriching experience – Students receive training in encyclopedic writing, are exposed to research methods, and learn how to express complex ideas clearly.
- Real contribution to society – The articles written by the students become part of Wikipedia’s free repository and serve as a source of information for the general public.
- Boosting self-confidence – Publishing the articles gives students satisfaction and pride in their contribution to open knowledge.
- Navigatong today’s information challenges – Participants develop digital literacy, including mindful use of AI learning tools, and learn to distinguish between reliable sources and false or misleading information.
Examples of successful collaborations
The program operates in partnership with leading organizations, including “Scientists of the Future”, the “Alpha” program, the “IDEA” program, Tel Aviv University for Youth, Technion – Youth Science Program, and more. Through the program, hundreds of Wikipedia articles have been written and expanded, receiving broad exposure and use by the public.
