WikiExplorers “The Secret Life of Trees

Below two WikiExplorers Children's stories inspired by the work of Harriet Rix and the science of Forest Ecology.

WikiExplorers Learning Session

“The Secret Life of Trees”

Location: Harlem WikiExplorers Learning Lab

Teacher: Ms. Rivers

Topic: How trees communicate and shape ecosystems

Opening

Ms. Rivers placed a large photograph of an old oak tree on the table.

“Today,” she said, “we are going to explore something surprising. Many scientists now believe that forests behave like living communities. 

Trees share nutrients, communicate through chemicals, and protect each other.”

She wrote two words on the board:

Tree Intelligence

“Writers like Harriet Rix help us understand how trees survive and cooperate in forests.”

Step 1 – Wikipedia Exploration

The students opened their laptops.

Ms. Rivers gave the first assignment.

Explore Wikipedia articles about:

Plant communication

Mycorrhizal network

Forest ecology

The students also opened Wikidata to see how scientific knowledge is organized across Wikimedia projects.

One student noticed something interesting.

“Ms. Rivers, trees send signals underground through fungi!”

“Yes,” she replied. “Scientists sometimes call it the wood wide web.”

Step 2 – Discussion

Ms. Rivers asked the class:

“What might trees be saying to each other?”

Students imagined:

• warning signals about insects

• sharing sugar with weaker trees

• helping young seedlings grow

They learned that forests function as networks of cooperation and survival.

Step 3 – Categories Investigation

The students looked at Wikipedia categories.

They found connections between:

Forest ecology

Climate systems

Biodiversity

Soil life

Ms. Rivers explained:

“Wikipedia categories show how knowledge branches outward—almost like a tree.”

Step 4 – Reflection

Ms. Rivers ended the session with a question.

“If forests cooperate, what can humans learn from them?”

The students wrote short reflections about cooperation, balance, and shared resources.

Assignment

Each WikiExplorer must:

Improve a small section of a Wikipedia article related to forests.

Add a new category or citation if needed.

Write a short reflection titled:

“What Trees Teach Humans About Living Together.”

Children’s Story (Ages 8–10)

The Tree Scientists

One bright Saturday morning, three young WikiExplorers met Ms. Rivers in the park.

Tall trees stretched toward the sky.

“Today,” Ms. Rivers said, “we are going to discover a secret.”

The children looked around.

“A secret?” asked Maya.

“Yes,” said Ms. Rivers. “Trees talk.”

The children laughed.

“Trees can’t talk!”

“Oh, they do,” Ms. Rivers said. “Just not with voices.”

The Underground Neighborhood

Ms. Rivers knelt down and drew a picture in the dirt.

She drew tree roots spreading through the soil.

Then she drew tiny threads connecting them.

“These are fungi,” she explained.

“They help trees share food and messages.”

“Like neighbors helping each other?” asked Leo.

“Exactly.”

Some scientists study this hidden forest world, including a writer named

Harriet Rix.

“She helps people understand how amazing trees really are.”

The Secret Message

Suddenly Maya noticed something.

“Look! This tree is smaller than the others.”

“Yes,” said Ms. Rivers.

“Sometimes big trees send extra nutrients through the soil to help younger trees grow.”

“That means the forest takes care of its children!” Leo said.

Ms. Rivers smiled.

“Yes. Forests are communities.”

The WikiExplorer Mission

Back at the library, the young explorers opened their laptops.

They looked up articles about:

Plant communication

Mycorrhizal network

They added new facts they learned to Wikipedia.

“Now,” Maya said proudly, “people around the world can learn how forests work!”

Closing

As the sun set, the children walked home through the trees.

The wind moved gently through the branches.

“Maybe the trees are talking now,” Leo whispered.

“Maybe,” said Ms. Rivers.

“And maybe,” Maya said, “they’re saying thank you.”