TEDxKids@SMU 2014
TEDxKids@SMU is a one-of-a-kind experience and the first ever TED style conference for kids. Middle school students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade from across North Texas come to the Dallas City Performance Hall in the Arts District to engage with big ideas and great conversations. This day is dedicated to kids; adults are asked to sit in the balcony while high school volunteer hosts sit with the students on the main floor. During the breaks the energy and raw curiosity of 550 young minds all in one room is contagious: ideas are presented on stage then debated with the speaker, partners demonstrate the latest technology and teach creative expression, all the while future leaders are being formed. The experience is free of charge and in return each student gives 4 hours of service back to their community. Now that’s an idea worth spreading.
Check out pictures from TEDxKids@SMU 2014!
11:00am Session I
Goldthwaite + Gutierrez + Hudson + Mahesh + Nhat Nam + Nitta + Patton + Sturm + Veeramraju
2:00pm Session II
Csaky + Funk + Harris + Jesuit + Judice + Twomey + Unity of Cultures
Poetry as performing art
6th Grader | Highland Park Middle School
Peace Corps adventurer
Executive Director | Texas Association for Infant Mental Health
Lessons from a Banjo player
Writer, creative director and banjo player
Master storyteller
Director | The Book of Life
The music that defines us
President and Chief Executive Officer | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cheetahs, elephants, gorillas & okapi
Executive Director and CEO | Dallas Zoo
Author, inventor and entrepreneur
Founder | Cidara Therapeutics
Three cups of heroes
9th Grader | Coppell High School
A small deed, a big dream
8th Grader | St. Paul the Apostle
Cognitive neuroscience and cognitive computing
Program Director, Master Inventor | IBM T J Watson Research Center
The art and science of food
R&D Scientist | Pepsico
Cacoethes
Design Solution Activist
Original performance
8th Grader | St. Patrick’s School
Dance fusion
Delilah Buitron + Megna Murali
Music as therapy
Senior | Heritage High School
World Champion FIRST Robotics Team 2848
Teamwork experts
Jesuit College Preparatory
About TEDxKids@SMU
The TEDx and TED model of conferences are an ideal platform to present new, engaging ideas to the next generation of leaders, artists, creators, innovators, and inventors. Short, bursty presentations by astounding thinkers on a broad array of topics ranging from the science of yo-yo’s to space exploration take students out of the classrooms and into a setting where the teachers are the people actually thinking up and executing these big ideas.
Community Service Requirement
As part of our commitment to the students in the Dallas area, we offer this program free of charge for students to attend, but require that students commit to completing a service learning project. At TEDxKids@SMU, students will have the opportunity to sign up for one of several volunteer experiences coordinated through TEDxSMU, or to propose a service learning project of their choosing.
Chaperons
To reaffirm to the students that this day is really about and for them, we are asking that all chaperons and adults attending TEDxKids@SMU sit in the balcony of the City Performance Hall, where parents and chaperons can watch and be in close proximity to students without being in the same row. This is available based on the comfort and discretion of chaperons. TEDxKids@SMU Hosts are Dallas-area juniors and seniors in high school who have been selected through an application process to serve as peer mentors to the students and will also be available to sit with them during the program.
Hosts Applications for TEDxKids@SMU has now closed.
TEDxKids@SMU Hosts
TEDxKids@SMU will select 90 high school juniors and seniors to serve as Hosts to groups of 5-10 middle school students during the TEDxKids@SMU conference. Each Host will complete peer leadership training prior to TEDxKids@SMU. Hosts will greet students as they arrive at TEDxKids@SMU and help them understand the flow of the day. Hosts sit with the students during the conference, and stay with their assigned small group during the break. Hosts will also be expected to participate in one of the service learning projects offered through TEDxSMU.
This is a great opportunity that offers training in peer leadership, a free ticket to attend TEDxKids@SMU, and the chance to interact with a diverse group of students from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. And, it looks great on your resume! At TEDxKids@SMU, you will:
- Serve as a mentor to a small group of 10 TEDxKids@SMU attendees
- Help facilitate conversations about the array of topics that we cover at TEDxKids@SMU
- Participate in the breaks by guiding your small group through interacting with speakers, engaging with the art installations, and experiencing multiple hands-on opportunities
- Get the full experience of TEDxKids@SMU by being immersed in every component of the event!
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