WikiExplorers Activity Sheet: Energy Through Time


WikiExplorers Activity Sheet: Energy Through Time

Theme: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science

Focus: Anti-Aging, Mitochondria, and Maternal Energy

Objective
You will research how humans maintain energy and vitality as they age, combining ancient cultural knowledge with modern scientific discoveries. Then, you’ll create or edit a Wikipedia section that presents both perspectives accurately and neutrally.

Step 1: Explore Ancient Knowledge

Questions to Investigate

What practices did ancient communities use to maintain energy and longevity?
Which foods, herbs, or diets were emphasized?

How did movement, meditation, or rituals support health?

Are there cultural traditions in African, Indigenous, or Asian communities related to maternal care and vitality?

Suggested Resources
Anthropology or history books in the library
Credible online sources about traditional medicine and nutrition
Encyclopedias of world cultures

Step 2: Explore Modern Scientific Discoveries

Questions to Investigate

What are mitochondria and why are they called the “powerhouses of the cell”?

How are mitochondria inherited? From which parent?

Which nutrients or compounds (CoQ10, NAD⁺ precursors, magnesium, antioxidants) help support mitochondrial energy?
Are there recent studies on anti-aging or energy maintenance?

Suggested Resources
Scientific articles or journals (look for accessible science summaries)

Trusted health websites (e.g., National Institutes of Health, Science Daily, Verywell Health)

Documentaries or videos about cellular biology

Step 3: Make Connections

Answer these reflection questions in your notebook or on a worksheet:

How do ancient practices and modern science overlap?

What does maternal inheritance of mitochondria teach us about life and energy?

How can knowledge from the past guide our choices today?

Step 4: Wikipedia Draft

Using your notes, draft a Wikipedia-style section:

Title suggestion: “Human Energy and Vitality:

Ancient Practices and Modern Science”
Content tips:

Write in neutral, factual language.
Include both ancient knowledge and modern discoveries.

Add one or two references for each claim (books, journals, or credible websites).
Keep it clear and concise — 3–5 short paragraphs.

Example Start:
Humans have long sought ways to maintain energy and health through aging. Ancient cultures emphasized herbs, diet, meditation, movement, and rest to preserve vitality.

Modern research shows that mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouses inherited from mothers, produce energy and can be supported by nutrients such as CoQ10 and NAD⁺ precursors. Together, these insights highlight how lifestyle, nutrition, and biology contribute to sustained energy and well-being.

Step 5: Optional Creative Add-On
Draw a diagram showing how mitochondria create energy, connecting it to ancestral practices (e.g., a grandmother teaching a child about herbs or meditation).

Write a short reflective paragraph: “What I learned about energy from my ancestors and science.”

Step 6: Share and Edit
Present your draft to the club.
Discuss feedback and improvements.
If appropriate, contribute your section to a live Wikipedia article with guidance from Ms. Rivers.

Key Takeaways

Energy is both biological and cultural.
Mitochondria connect us to our maternal lineage and ancestral vitality.

Ancient wisdom and modern science together offer a fuller understanding of aging and energy.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From Harlem to Dakar to St. Louis: The WikiExplorers go to the St Louis Jazz Festival

Image
WikiExplorers go to Senegal, a children’s story for ages 10–12, to learn about their shared history in music.  From Harlem to Dakar to St. Louis: The WikiExplorers Travel to Senegal   Ten WikiExplorers sat in a circle on the classroom floor in Harlem, laptops open, backpacks half-zipped, and ready to fly across the Atlantic Ocean to Dakar, Senegal.  “Dakar is right here,” said Amina, pointing at the map on her screen. “And St. Louis is way up north,” Malik added. “It used to be the capital of Senegal!” They were traveling to Senegal to attend a jazz festival in St. Louis, a city known for its music, rivers, and beautiful old buildings. Their assignment was special: learn about the shared history of African and African American music, find knowledge gaps on Wikipedia, and help fill them—with words, photos, and interviews. None of the children had ever been to Africa before. But Africa didn’t feel far away. Research Before the Journey Before the trip, the WikiExplorers met ...
Read more

Edgar Cayce’s prophecy and African Americans

  Edgar Cayce, sometimes called the “Sleeping Prophet,” gave thousands of psychic readings in the early 20th century. Much of his work focused on health, spirituality, and esoteric subjects like Atlantis, but in his life readings he also spoke about the destiny and role of various groups of people in history—including African Americans. Cayce’s prophecy and his views as they relate to African American history: 1. Spiritual Destiny of African Americans Cayce suggested that African Americans carried a deep spiritual mission. He often spoke of “souls” incarnating in different races and regions to fulfill certain purposes. About Black people in America, he indicated that they held a role in bringing balance, humility, and spiritual renewal to a world overly focused on materialism. He stated that African Americans would play a key role in the spiritual awakening of America . He connected their history of suffering and resilience with a kind of spiritual refinement—what he descri...
Read more

What's missing in New York City’s current political conversation.

What's  missing in New York City’s current political conversation and race for mayor While much of the world — from Singapore, South Korea, and Finland to parts of Africa and the Middle East — is pivoting toward innovation-driven economies, many of New York’s current political candidates (including Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa) are speaking in reactive, not visionary, economic terms. New York City Needs an Innovation Vision The Global Shift Across the globe, cities and nations are redefining what drives their economies. They’re no longer relying on industrial output or traditional services but are building innovation-driven economies — ecosystems that combine research, technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship to generate new industries and sustainable prosperity. Singapore has invested in innovation districts and research hubs linking academia with industry. Finland transformed its post-industrial economy through design, technology, and education. China and In...
Read more