In this talk, Oudai shares his story, especially how some key moments in his life shaped his belief and motivations. With his personal story, he hopes to inspire you to follow your goals undeterred by the difficulties you may face.

Oudai holds two master’s degrees, is a winner of the Chevening Scholarship, and a previous champion in swimming. He has a strong passion for learning, as well as development and community service and he plans to devote the rest of his career to this.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

We like to think that we are one in a million, but what happens when that’s exactly the news that you don’t want to hear? Peta’s extraordinary story and that of her family is one that is desperately sad, but it has forced her to connect with others in ways she could never have expected.

Peta Murchison is a mother dedicated to raising awareness for Batten Disease — a rare degenerative genetic disease that affects otherwise healthy children who can sing, dance and bounce. From a young age affected kids start to lose their ability to walk, talk, see and smile. There is no cure for children affected and it will eventually take their lives. Awareness and research into this rare disease is imperative to find a cure.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Why do we like what we like? Raymond Loewy, the father of industrial design, had a theory. He was the all-star 20th-century designer of the Coca-Cola fountain and Lucky Strike pack; the modern sports car, locomotive, Greyhound bus and tractor; the interior of the first NASA spaceship; and the egg-shaped pencil sharpener. How did one man understand what consumers wanted from so many different areas of life? His grand theory of popularity was called MAYA: Most advanced yet acceptable. He said humans are torn between two opposing forces: neophilia, a love of new things; and neophobia; a fear of anything that’s too new. Hits, he said, live at the perfect intersection of novelty and familiarity. They are familiar surprises. In this talk, I’ll explain how Loewy’s theory has been validated by hundreds of years of research — and how we can all use it to make hits. Derek Thompson is a senior editor at The Atlantic, where he writes about economics, technology and media. He is a news analyst with NPRs afternoon show “Here and Now," appearing weekly on Mondays, and an on-air contributor to CBS News. The recipient of several honors, including the 2016 Best in Business award for Columns and Commentary from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, he is the author of the national bestselling book Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Charisse Nixon is a development psychologist who studies at risk behavior as well as protective factors among children and adolescents. According to Nixon, we know that kids and adults are suffering. In fact, some research studies have shown that rates of depression and anxiety have actually increased over the past 50 years. According to recent research, we know that approximately 1 in 5 youth will suffer from a major depressive episode by the time they leave high school. In the middle of our fast paced, technologically driven world, adolescents stand before you — searching for purpose… searching to fit in and belong. After decades of research of those who have studied this field, one thing is very clear: meaningful connections serve as protective factors in the lives of our youth. Nixon shares her ideas on how we can help our youth build those meaningful connections.

Dr. Charisse Nixon is currently a Professor of Psychology at Penn State Behrend. She trains educators throughout the United States providing a unique integration of empirical research and practical strategies to help caring adults create environments that optimize children and adolescents’ developmental outcomes. Her research interests currently include studying effective prevention and intervention efforts related to reducing peer mistreatment and its associated harm. Building students’ resiliency through mentoring is a core tenet of her work. Charisse has a heart for young people–for young people to actually thrive and not just survive, to be the best that they can be.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Musician Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, returns to his high school to talk about growing up and his career path in the music industry.

Born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi in Cleveland, Kid Cudi began rapping while attending Shaker Heights High School and later Solon High School. In 2004, Kid Cudi moved to Brooklyn, NY to pursue his rap career. He released his first mixtape, “A Kid Named Cudi,” in 2008. The mixtape earned Kanye West’s attention, leading him to sign Cudi to his GOOD Music imprint. As an up-and-coming artist, Cudi contributed hooks and lyrics to songs by West and Jay-Z, including “Heartless,” “Paranoid” and “Already Home.” These collaborations set the foundation for Kid Cudi’s successful solo career. He signed with Universal Motown in 2009 and released his first full-length album later that year. Cudi earned his first three Grammy Award nominations in 2010, two for his single “Day ‘n’ Nite” and one for the collaboration “Make Her Say.” In 2012, he won two Grammy Awards for “All of the Lights,” a collaboration with West, Rihanna and Fergie.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Kyle MacDonald details just exactly how he traded up from one red paperclip to a house, in only a year! Its an unlikely and amazing journey with lots of surprises along the way.

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Kyle MacDonald started with a red paperclip and traded it for a pen. Then traded the pen for a doorknob. And so on!

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

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Benjamin makes numbers dance. In his day job, hes a professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College; in his other day job, hes a «Mathemagician,» taking the stage to perform high-speed mental calculations, memorisations and other astounding mathematic stunts. Its part of his drive to teach math and mental agility in interesting ways, following in the footsteps of such heroes as Martin Gardner.

TEDxOxford is organised by University of Oxford students, aiming to bring together the young minds of tomorrows world with the movers and shakers of today. TEDxOxford is kindly sponsored by Neptune Investment Management — www.neptunefunds.com

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Michael Stevens the persona behind the YouTube sensation Vsauce, is an online personality with an entertaining approach to explaining the science behind seemingly ordinary, everyday phenomena. Michaels videos have been watched over 400 million times and Vsauces 4.5 million subscribers continues to add an astonishing 15 thousand subscribers each day. Michael lives in London where he works for Google as an in-house consultant for other creators on the platform.
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/Vsauce/

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November 2, 2013 at Volkstheater Wien, Vienna, Austria.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Dr John Thomas is a passionate educator of chemistry who aims to educate … and entertain! Armed with the chemical understanding of fireworks, smoke machines and other exciting reactions, Dr Thomas is no stranger to the flashy and dramatic side of chemistry. In this presentation, Dr Thomas showcases some fascinating and explosive reactions, whilst teaching a thing or two about the chemistry going on! So, enjoy this educational and entertaining chemistry show! Dr John Thomas is a passionate educator of chemistry who aims to educate … and entertain! Armed with the chemical understanding of fireworks, smoke machines and other exciting reactions, Dr Thomas is no stranger to the flashy and dramatic side of chemistry. In this presentation, Dr Thomas showcases some fascinating and explosive reactions, whilst teaching a thing or two about the chemistry going on! So, enjoy this educational and entertaining chemistry show! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

When 50,000 of Mark Robers 3 million YouTube subscribers participated in a basic coding challenge, the data all pointed to what Rober has dubbed the Super Mario Effect. The YouTube star and former NASA engineer describes how this data-backed mindset for life gamification has stuck with him along his journey, and how it impacts the ways he helps (or tricks) his viewers into learning science, engineering, and design. Mark Rober has made a career out of engineering, entertainment, and education. After completing degrees in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University and the University of Southern California, Rober joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2004. In his nine years as a NASA engineer, seven of which were on the Mars rover Curiosity team, Rober worked on both the Descent Stage (the jet pack that lowered the Rover to the surface) and some hardware on the Rover top deck for collecting samples. In 2011, Rober’s iPad-based Halloween costume helped launch both his creative costume company, Digital Dudz, and his YouTube channel, which now boasts 3 million subscribers and 400 million views. His videos focus on creative ideas and science- and engineering-based pranks and activities. Rober is a regular guest on «Jimmy Kimmel Live!». Today, he does research and development work for a large technology company in Northern California, where he lives with his wife and son. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx