By Aksel S. and Varun B. (ICS Grade 11 students)
Last month, ICS had the privilege of hosting TEDxICS Zurich Youth 2024 “Question the World”, an entirely student-led endeavour that tested our leadership, perseverance, and teamwork to the fullest.
The event was recorded and uploaded to the TEDx YouTube channel.
The idea for the event began last year when two (now graduated) 12th graders hosted the first-ever TEDx event at ICS as part of their CAS portfolio. The event was extremely successful with six speakers and talks ranging from music to quantum physics.
Aksel S. who spoke at the event last year, loved the experience and teamed up with Varun B. to co-organise the next event. This year, the organising duo worked hard to give students the same opportunity to share their Ideas Worth Spreading and ensure the long-term sustainability of the event at ICS, with a focus on meeting TED’s tight guidelines to ensure the talks get published.
“The first challenge we faced was assembling a team. It was crucial to find the right mix of passionate students willing to invest their time and energy. Eventually, we formed a dedicated group of mentors to guide our speakers through the process. Mentoring was both rewarding and challenging. The speakers, though extremely talented, needed help refining their ideas and presentation skills. We organised group sessions, as well as many one-on-one sessions, providing feedback and encouragement to our speakers.
In the end, the amazing talks ranged from discussing the future of the automotive industry, and dealing with tragedy, to explaining potentially world-changing quantum mechanics.”
“Organising the event logistics was another significant challenge that we faced. From securing the venue to managing audio-visual requirements, every detail required meticulous planning as we wanted this event to be the best it could be for the students. We still faced several obstacles, including last-minute technical issues, however, as a team we worked together and ensured everything ran smoothly throughout the event.
One of our goals for the event was for it to be a recurring production at ICS as a student-led initiative. We have already begun to brainstorm ideas and ways of improving the event, to pass on the legacy to the next group of organisers as part of the CAS programme. We hope that TEDx becomes a student-run ICS tradition for years to come, with each event even better than the last.
Looking back, TEDxICS Zurich Youth was a monumental achievement. It is an amazing feeling to look back and see what you have accomplished, and for others to appreciate the passion, teamwork, and determination that went into the event. We are immensely proud of our speakers and the entire team for bringing this vision to life. Here's to sharing many more ideas worth sharing in the future!”
You can watch the recordings from this event on the TEDx YouTube channel here!
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all students who demonstrated remarkable Student Agency in hosting TEDxICS Zurich Youth and orchestrating every detail of the event. The enthusiasm and dedication were truly awe-inspiring, resulting in a resounding success. The initiative in bringing together diverse ideas and voices showcases the incredible potential within our student body.
We are extremely proud of your achievements and the impact you have made through this event. The commitment exemplifies the spirit of our community.
We look forward to your contributions in shaping a brighter future. Well done!”
- Mrs Myanger and Mrs McMullen