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Students’ authenticity, originality, charisma and creativity at the core of YCYW TEDx event
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TED — short for technology, entertainment, design — is a private, non-profit organization based in the United States, well-known for its influential conferences, with a belief in “ideas worth spreading.” In 2009, TED developed TEDx, a grassroots initiative created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission. TEDx events are independently organized by passionate individuals or institutions that seek to uncover new ideas, share the latest research in their local areas, and spark conversations in their communities.
Next year marks the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) 90th anniversary. For the occasion, five Yew Chung (YC) and Yew Wah (YW) schools in Shanghai and Tongxiang, Zhejiang Province, came together on June 27 to host their TEDx event.
The first TEDx event organized by YCIS Shanghai, Puxi took place in the summer of 2019. Preparing for the follow-up TEDx event started 21 months ago. Originally planned for last year with a scale similar to the first one, the event was meant to be solely hosted by YCIS Shanghai. However, the unexpected pandemic derailed the plan, and prompted YCYW educators to ponder expanding the event scope to create a bigger stage for students. Thus came the idea of a collaboration involving five YCYW campuses in the east China region.
For the 2021 event, the five YCYW schools ran TEDx Talks and exhibited creative and innovative projects through workshops and performances. The event theme was “Together, Building a Better World,” and was organized in partnership with Shanghai’s West Bund Museum. It represented an opportunity for YCYW students to share their ideas, innovative designs, creative projects, and workshops with the attendees.
The event included:
TEDx Talks
A series of research and creative talks by students, alumni and teachers, with a strong focus on arts, creativity, design and innovation. In total, there were over 50 presenters, the youngest of whom was only 10 years old.
Topics ranged from social anxiety and artificial intelligence-generated playwriting to electric cars and the concept of trust. The observation and analysis from the children’s perspectives spurred curiosity and expectation in the audience.
A TEDx Exhibition
The exhibition included over 300 creative and academic displays of YCYW students’ work, as well as interactive and immersive experiences for visitors. Works included individual pieces, group projects and sculptures, showcasing the students’ creativity and discipline.
Embodying the school motto to “align with science and technology, with culture and arts, with love and charity,” these creations are the result of the infusion of art and technology in the students’ everyday learning experiences. Through this work, students reimagined the world with self-reflection and innovation.
Workshops
A range of interactive and immersive experiences and workshops for visitors organized by YCYW students included music production, theatrical techniques and approaches to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM). Design and technology departments displayed a variety of technologies for families to engage with throughout the event, such as virtual reality, robotics and 3D printing tools.
Musical Performances
A creative collection of music and performance productions in a concert format presented by Primary students, orchestral and musical performances by Secondary students, and Primary and Secondary student choirs provided the soundtrack throughout the day.
Co-organizer of the TEDx event, Dr Christopher Hurley, director of Teaching and Learning at YCIS Shanghai, Puxi said that he hoped the audience was inspired by the ideas presented and that they sparked discussions and reflections in the wider community.
“When we come together, we start to dream, imagine and build. In this way, we find creativity and innovation,” he said. “We all have a shared identity as a human beings on earth, despite the various roles we play in society. All of us should contribute to the world’s better tomorrow.”
“It is often said that children are our future. In my view, everyone is the future. When children, their parents and their teachers form a united front, they become a common humanity that empowers each of them with the stewardship to create a future,” added Dr Hurley.
Authenticity, originality, charisma and creativity are the essence of TEDx. These qualities preside over ostentatious language and expression. TEDx is just one of the many ways YCYW supports excellence among students, raising their confidence and showcasing their incredible talents and knowledge, all building towards a brighter future.
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