Edit-a-thons

APS hosts an annual Wikipedia Edit-a-thon in collaboration with other organizations to create and improve Wikipedia pages that highlight the accomplishments of women and other historically marginalized groups in physics. An edit-a-thon event usually lasts about three hours and includes:

• an introduction to the theme of the event by an expert,
• a short training on Wikipedia editing,
• opportunities for participants to write articles, and
• reflection on what participants learned from the event about communicating physics to a wider audience.

Upcoming Wiki Edit-a-thon

Friday, September 29, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by contributing to Wikipedia articles about Hispanic physicists and their contributions to the field. Raise awareness of the accomplishments of marginalized groups within physics and improve the public’s access to physics knowledge. No prior Wikipedia editing experience is required to participate.

Register now

Tentative Event Schedule

This afternoon event will include a plenary talk, an introduction to editing Wikipedia, and writing and editing Wikipedia articles. We will also have opportunities for networking, a puzzle room, and online museum exhibits celebrating Hispanic Heritage to visit.

• 1:00 p.m. ET: Introductions and welcome
• 1:05 p.m. ET: Plenary talk by Dr. Ximena Cid, California State University Dominguez Hills
• 1:25 p.m. ET: Q&A with Dr. Cid
• 1:35 p.m. ET: Introduction to editing Wikipedia led by Camryn Bell, former Wikipedian-in-residence at the Niels Bohr Library & Archives
• 1:55 p.m. ET: Choosing articles to work on and answering initial questions
• 2:00 - 3:45 p.m. ET: Article writing in small groups, plus breakout rooms with puzzles, music, and online museum tours, for when you need a break from editing
• 3:45 - 4:00 p.m. ET: Final reflections and wrap-up

 

Previous Edit-a-thons

APS’s most recent edit-a-thons took place as part of the April Meeting 2022 and March Meeting 2021, where participants collaborated to update and create Wikipedia pages focused on women and other historically marginalized groups in physics.

At the Juneteenth edit-a-thon, Jess Wade speaks with Gladys West, PhD, a celebrated mathematician whose work has been pivotal in global positioning system (GPS) technology.

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Juneteenth Edit-a-thon with Black in Physics

To highlight the work of Black physicists, APS has also partnered with the organization Black in Physics to host a Juneteenth edit-a-thon in 2021. This event honored the contributions of Black physicists while strengthening connections between physicists and the movement to support Black individuals entering the STEM fields. By bringing attention to the achievements of Black physicists so that diverse groups of people can see themselves in science, this edit-a-thon contributed to fostering a just and equitable environment where Black physicists can thrive.