WikiExplorers Workshop: Uncovering Truths & Building Open Knowledge

WikiExplorers Workshop: Uncovering Truths & Building Open Knowledge

​Event Overview

​The WikiExplorers Meetup is a hands-on, two-hour interactive workshop designed to turn curiosity into published knowledge. Created for youth and young learners between the ages of 10 and 18, as well as educators and youth mentors, this session focuses on fact-checking, digital archiving, and drafting biographical and scientific entries for open platforms.

​Participants need only bring standard learning tools—physical notebooks, pencils, highlighters, tablets or laptops, and reference sheets—to engage directly in the full research and writing process.

​Workshop Structure & Run of Show

​1. Welcome & The "Fact-Checker" Icebreaker (20 Minutes)

​The session begins by equipping every participant with physical notebooks and index cards. To spark curiosity, facilitators display a popular 30-second short-form video clip making a bold historical or scientific claim.

​Participants are posed with a simple question: "Is this true, and how would we prove it?" From there, facilitators introduce the Three Rules of Lateral Reading:

​Leave the video and open a fresh search tab.

​Identify who is behind the claim.

​Trace the evidence back to a reliable primary source.

​2. Notebook-First Research Sprint (40 Minutes)

​Before touching a publishing interface, learners conduct research locally on paper to slow down and organize their thoughts. Each participant selects a notable figure, local landmark, or ecological subject that is missing or underrepresented in open archives.

​During this sprint, learners:

​Mine curated books, peer-reviewed databases, and vetted open sources to collect three verifiable facts.

​Sketch an outline in their physical notebooks, mapping early life, key contributions, and citation links.

​Swap notebooks with a partner to review citations, check neutrality, and give feedback.

​3. Collaborative Digital Editing (45 Minutes)

​With paper drafts completed, participants transition into digital sandbox environments to bring their research online. Facilitators guide participants through:

​Formatting section headers, bolding key terms, and structuring clear lead summaries.

​Inserting inline citations so that every single claim directly links back to verifiable source material.

​Applying a neutral point of view to ensure entries remain balanced and factual rather than opinionated.

​4. Show & Tell + Publishing Celebration (15 Minutes)

​To wrap up the event, each participant presents one key fact they verified or added during the workshop. The session concludes with a publishing celebration where custom WikiExplorer Badges (such as Fact Detective, Citation Scout, and Master Editor) are awarded to celebrate their contributions to open knowledge.

​Event Announcement & Invitation

​Calling All Curious Minds & Future Archivists!

​Have you ever wondered how information makes its way onto the internet—and how you can know what's actually true? Join us for the next WikiExplorers Meetup, an interactive workshop where you'll step into the shoes of a digital detective and open-knowledge contributor.

​During this interactive session, you will learn how to spot fake news and trace claims back to real sources, map out research in physical notebooks, and publish verified facts to global open archives. Help document unsung heroes, local history, and science for learners around the globe.

​No prior editing experience required! Bring your curiosity (and a favorite notebook).

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