Wikipedia:Meetup/Boston/WritingBlackHistory

Writing Black History into Wikipedia
Astronaut candidates Ron McNair, Guy Bluford, and Fred Gregory wearing Apollo spacesuits, May 1978
When and Where
Time1pm to 5pm
AddressMIT campus, 14N-132 DIRC
City, StateCambridge, Massachusetts
DateJanuary 29, 2016

Writing Black History into Wikipedia edit

In anticipation of Black History Month 2016, join us for an edit-a-thon to update and improve Wikipedia articles about African Americans in STEM fields (STEM = science, technology, engineering and mathematics.) We will look at the Blacks at MIT History Project for inspiration and resources from the MIT Libraries will be on hand.

Staff from the Libraries and the Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication Program who are experienced Wikipedians will provide a short introduction and overview of editing Wikipedia and will be available to answer questions throughout the session. Drop in any time during the session, and come with questions and ideas for topics! For those fluent in multiple languages, working in any language Wikipedia is welcome and encouraged. Computers will be available, but participants can also bring their own laptops.

We are also hosting an introduction to Wikipedia edit-a-thon and workshop on teaching with Wikipedia on January 22. You are welcome to attend both events or only one!

Event Information edit

  • Date: January 29, 2016
  • Time: 1-5 pm
  • Location: MIT campus, 14N-132 DIRC
  • Hosts: MIT Libraries - Phoebe Ayers, Greta Suiter, Jessica Ventlet; MIT Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication Program - Amy Carleton, Rebecca Thorndike-Breeze
  • MIT IAP session: Register here for IAP.

Your Wikipedia Account: If you don't have a Wikipedia user account, please try to create one in advance. Wikipedians will be on hand to assist those who need help setting up an account.

Schedule edit

Time Activity
1:00pm
 DIRC open for edit-a-thon!
1:15pm
 Introductions
1:30pm
 Overview of Blacks at MIT website and library sources available
2:00pm
 Let's edit!
4:45pm
 Announcements, show accomplishments, thanks, wind-down

What should I have?

* A laptop if you wish, there will also be computers available to use.
* An interest in black history, science, technology, and/or editing Wikipedia!

I have a question!

Feel free to ask on this project's talk page, and we'll put an answer here.

Is it possible to participate remotely?

Participant list edit

Please add your Wikipedia username below (signatures are created by saving four tildes [~] in a row. If you haven't edited Wikipedia before, we will help you register for a new Wikipedia editing account on the day-of. Remote partipation is also encouraged. Participate virtually, from anywhere.

Possible topics for editing / articles to create edit

Lawrence H. Knox
William Jacob Knox
William J. Knox
Knox Family Papers

Training to Edit Wikipedia edit

Resources we can draw from edit

Results / Outcomes edit

New articles edit

Expanded or improved edit