Wikipedia, Digital Literacy, and Science Communication among High School Students in Brazil: Introducing NEMkipédiA 

On November 30, 2024, Wikimedia Brasil (WMB) participated in the VII Encontro Anual da Rede Nacional de Ciência para Educação (Rede CpE) (7th Annual Meeting of the National Science for Education Network). The event celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Rede CpE, an initiative that brings together researchers from different fields of knowledge to share scientific studies that contribute to better educational practices and policies. That year, the event also included the III Simpósio Satélite da Cátedra UNESCO de Ciência para Educação (3rd Satellite Symposium of the UNESCO Chair in Science for Education) as part of its program.

As a result of our participation, we received an honorable mention for the research we presented, titled Wikiversidade: uma plataforma para grupos de pesquisa e ciência aberta (Wikiversity: A Platform for Research Groups and Open Science). The study investigated the challenges and opportunities of Wikiversity for Brazilian scientific production and dissemination and was based on an article published on Wikiversity.

During the event, we met several teachers and professionals working in education and science communication, among whom we would like to highlight Joso Souza Junior, a high school teacher at the Barra Mansa unit of Escola Firjan SESI. Serviço Social da Indústria (SESI) (Social Service of Industry) is a nonprofit institution with a presence throughout Brazil, focused on promoting social well-being and cultural and educational development. On the occasion, Joso presented the Nem Com Ciência project, an initiative through which he engages high school students in science communication using digital platforms.

Given the alignment between the teacher’s work at SESI and Wikimedia Brasil’s educational and science communication initiatives, this spontaneous encounter developed into a series of conversations that led to the establishment of a formal partnership in early 2025. This marked the beginning of NEMkipédiA.

Engaging a Young Audience

NEMkipédiA is an initiative launched in early 2025 focused on education and the collaborative production of knowledge. The project uses Wikipedia as a space for research, writing, digital literacy, and active participation, engaging high school students from the Barra Mansa unit of Escola Firjan SESI (Firjan SESI School) in the construction and democratization of free knowledge. Now, in 2026, after about a year and a half, the initiative has already contributed to more than 230 articles on Portuguese Wikipedia, which have received a combined total of 3.08 million views (check out the metrics here). 

So far, the students involved in the project have taken part in four training sessions held in partnership with Wikimedia Brasil, where they learned to use Wikipedia’s tools and became familiar with Wikipedia’s editing principles and practices.

“Continuing these activities has enabled the students to become increasingly independent in researching, referencing, writing, wikifying, and editing content on the platform,” says Joso, the project coordinator.

The NEMkipédiA’s initial strategy was to allow the students themselves to choose the topics they were most interested in editing. As a result, a wide range of subjects were covered, from culture and anime to philosophy, science, and technology. This openness was an intentional approach to attract and engage young people in collaborative editing and introduce them to the principles of free knowledge.

The project expanded from editing existing content to creating new Wikipedia articles, encouraging students to identify and address knowledge gaps on Wikipedia. One example of this work was the creation of the article “Astronomy in Brazil” (Portuguese version). According to the teacher, the initiative aimed to encourage the students involved in the project to explore other ways of participating in the digital ecosystem, moving beyond the role of information consumers to take an active role in creating and sharing knowledge with the public.

Recognition Beyond Wikimedia

The educational and scientific impact of NEMkipédiA has been recognized at different science fairs. In 2025, the project won third place in the Engineering and Technology category at the Mostra de Ciências da Universidade de Vassouras (University of Vassouras Science Fair) and was presented at the Mostra Sul Fluminense (Feira de Ciências, Tecnologia, Saberes Tradicionais e Inovação do Sul Fluminense – MostraSulF) (Southern Fluminense Science, Technology, Traditional Knowledge and Innovation Fair), in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro. 

In 2026, NEMkipédiA participated in the Feira Intermunicipal da Escola Firjan SESI Barra Mansa (Barra Mansa Intermunicipal Science Fair of Escola Firjan SESI), where it received special recognition and was selected to participate in the Feira de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FECTI) (Rio de Janeiro State Science, Technology and Innovation Fair), the leading science fair for elementary and high school students in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

At the national level, NEMkipédiA was selected to be presented at SBPC Jovem (SBPC Youth) in 2026, as part of the 78ª Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência (SBPC) (78th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science), held at Universidade Federal Fluminense (Fluminense Federal University) in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. The participation provided an opportunity to present the initiative at one of Brazil’s leading forums for scientific exchange and communication. 

This year, NEMkipédiA also took part in Flumisul (Feira de Negócios do Sul Fluminense) (Southern Fluminense Business Fair), one of the leading business fairs in the Sul Fluminense region, held from August 12 to 15 in Barra Mansa, Rio de Janeiro. The project was presented in a SESI exhibition area at the event.

By participating in these different contexts, NEMkipédiA has been able to extend its reach beyond the school community, introducing new audiences to how Wikipedia can be used in schools beyond its conventional role as a reference source, encouraging responsible and collaborative participation on the platform.

Potential and Challenges 

Some of the challenges faced by the project include the distance from locations where the Wikimedia Brasil team could provide in-person support. The nearest WMB facilitator is based in another city, making it more difficult to organize in-person and interactive sessions. As a result, many of the training activities take place online. Another challenge is adapting the project to the time available within the school schedule, which already includes a range of other activities. An additional challenge is the need to carefully consider the school calendar in order to avoid placing additional demands on students during exam periods. 

However, NEMkipédiA’s development highlights its potential as a Wiki Education initiative in K–12 education. By researching, verifying sources, writing, referencing information, editing content, and tracking the reach of their contributions, students strengthen their skills in digital and information literacy, critical thinking, communication, research, and collaborative work.

More than teaching young people how to edit Wikipedia, NEMkipédiA seeks to foster a generation of young people who produce and share free knowledge, capable of understanding that digital knowledge platforms can also be spaces for responsibility and social participation.

According to the project coordinator, “the results achieved strengthen the prospect of continuing and expanding the initiative, with new workshops, training new editors, and the possibility of sharing this experience with other school communities.”