Theme: Creative Frontiers

TEDxYouth@GAA is a 4 hour event happening on Saturday, June 10, 2017 with several speakers from the school community. At GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi, we are strong believers in the power of collaboration, critical thinking, and the promising potential of our youth. This event has been independently organized by the students of Gems American Academy. We hope to spread the spirit of ideas and bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

We live in an ever-changing, constantly modernizing world that is home to innovative minds, pioneering ideas, and countless opportunities. Everyday, we learn about newly-made, groundbreaking discoveries that could possibly change the world for the better. However, the modernization of our world has come with staggering consequences that continue to affect millions worldwide. It is for these reasons that our theme, Creative Frontiers, is intended to enlighten the youth of our community on the importance of advancement and progression, while keeping in mind those who are affected, and proposing ways in which we could help eliminate such issues at hand.

The following are eight different selections for the central theme and subsequent topics that will be discussed, Architecture, Technology, Scientific and Mathematical Theories, Music and Dance, Emotions of the Unknown/Psychology, Finding Solutions to Global Issues, The Effect of Diversity and Globalization on the Presence of Culture. We hope that by featuring such topics in our event, our community would be inspired not only to high-mindedly innovate, but also to raise awareness on and find solutions to present-day issues.

Visit the TEDxYouth@GAA website to learn more: https://tedxgaa.wixsite.com/tedxyouthgaa

GEMS American Academy
Madinat Khalifa A, Next Seha
Abu Dhabi, Abū Z̧aby, 145161
United Arab Emirates

Adam Mohammad Binu

Student

Aspiring to be an entrepreneur in the music industry, Adam is known to have a musical ear and can adapt to any instrument that he is given. However, he claims that his one true love is his saxophone. Adam’s speech discusses the fear of the unknown, amongst other fears that we might feel on a day-to-day basis.

Alexander Karl Meijer

Student

Alex is not only a strong debater, but he is also an entertaining public speaker! He is multilingual and loves to read. His one true aim is to live life to the fullest. His topic is “the lack of drive in the modern world.” He will be discussing the signs that show human devolution and how it could prevent us from propelling into the future.

Arnav Subir Das

Student

Arnav might be a technology geek, but he also excels in public speaking. One of his ambitions is to take part in numerous public speaking events such as the TEDx Youth @GAA. He will be talking about renewable sources of energy, and how they can be used to power vehicles such as the solar powered car and the saltwater-powered car. Come on, now who wouldn’t want to ride in these cool, but eco-friendly cars?

Athina Bohner

Student

Athina is keen to become a young, independent, and a successful journalist who brings the world enthusiasm and inspiration. She is an exceptional singer who is also able to play the violin and the piano. At the age of eight, she performed on the X-Factor Bulgaria and hopes to perform on other stages as well. A polyglot, Athina can speak three languages fluently and is currently learning four others. Athina will be talking about analyzing the impact of internationalism on our society. She will also perform a song to signify the lingual diversity among people!

Carmen Martinez

Student

Carmen is from Spain and she has an interest in singing, drawing and playing tennis. She loves learning new things on her own by researching about several topics. She aspires to be a doctor. She will be talking about Imagination as well with her friends.

Danah Al Shehhi

Student

Danah was born right here in the emirates and enjoys singing and playing the piano and aspires to be a gymnast when she grows up as well. They both share the same passion and also will be talking together about fears and how we can overcome them and make the world a better place.

Dave Holland

Teacher

A multi-instrumentalist, Mr Dave Holland is from the United Kingdom. He is a GEMS American Academy Band Teacher with international experience in the music industry. He has worked with some of the world's most renowned artists and is impressive in music production. His topic explores the way in which block-chaining helps promote fairtrade in the music industry.

Georg Ratsep

Student

Georg is multilingual and was born in Estonia. His talents are not limited to just reading and snowboarding; he has a special talent in public speaking and problem solving through critical thinking. This young man’s goal in life is to remain satisfied with life and have no regrets. Alongside his friend and classmate Alex Meijer, Georg will also be discussing “the lack of drive in the modern world,” as well as the signs of human devolution and the way in which it prevents us from propelling into the future.

Ghiles Douar

Student

Born in Algeria and currently living in Abu Dhabi, Ghiles is a multilingual speaker who can speak 5 languages fluently. He is a fantastic athlete and enjoys reading. This allrounder claims that his one true passion is playing football. Ghiles will be talking about imagination and its effects with his friends.

Hannah Marie Lyons

Student

A caring young lady whose ambition is to promote human welfare, Hannah aspires to be a future NGO officer. She not only strives to promote human welfare, but also deeply cares for all animals, and that explains why she is a vegan. Hannah will be discussing the meat and dairy industries, and how negatively it impacts the environment.

Ibraheem Uzbeck

Student

An Irish at heart, Pakistani through culture, and resident of the UAE, Ibraheem strives to leave a positive mark on the world. He enjoys practicing and playing sports of many different kinds. He also has a distinct talent of dancing and a raging passion for football. Ibraheem’s speech explores the dangers and the significance of fear of the unknown. It also encompasses various types of fears and the ways in which people could cope with them.

Ioanna Orphanide

Student

Ioanna was born in Nicosia, Cyprus. Since she has Greek blood in her veins, she claims to be a know-it-all. Her ambition is to live life to the fullest and the most of every situation. Ioanna loves to play sports, read, draw, and spend quality time with friends. She has multiple talents in languages and art. The importance of creativity and the gradual lack of ideas is what Ioanna will be addressing through her speech.

Isra Wehbe

Student

Isra aspires to become one of the world’s strongest leading business woman in the future. Known for her goofiness, Isra is bound to put a smile on anyone’s face with a few jokes and a couple of laughs. Despite having the full potential to be a full time comedian, Isra also has a hidden talent of singing. Isra will be discussing the effects of diversity on our modern-day society.

Jenna Punzalan

Student

Born in Singapore, and currently living in Abu Dhabi, Jenna expresses herself through her true talents in arts and sports. She plays the piano in an intermediate level and plays basketball in the GAA wildcat team. She also spends quality time in the library, reading fiction series. A few of the other sports she excels are badminton and tennis. Her ambition in life is to be a professional athlete. Along with three of her friends, Jenna will talk about Imagination and how it will instigate new discoveries.

Kamila Shakarchi

Teacher

A Canadian, Ms. Kamila Shakarchi is a teacher at GEMS American Academy. She has an interest in travelling the world, playing extreme sports, and reading scientific journals. A multilinguist, Ms. Shakarchi speaks three languages but interestingly enough, she doesn’t speak either of her native languages. She will be talking about the KISS Peptide protein and the Adolescent Brain.

Lucia Patino

Student

Lucia was born in Spain and she loves the oceans more than anybody else. She has a passion for swimming and aspires to be a professional swimmer as well as a marine vet. She also loves to be outdoors and spends time biking. Lucia is also equally good in gymnastics. Along with her friends, Lucia will also talk about imagination and how it can instigate new discoveries.

Mariam Al Ameri

Student

Born in Paris, and currently living in Abu Dhabi, Mariam is a talented individual in gymnastics who aspires to be a gymnast in the future. She spends her leisure time by playing a few chords on the piano whilst singing.

Maurice Efroza Handi

Student

Born in PekanBaru, Indonesia, Maurice is a young man who wishes to help less privileged individuals to the best of his abilities. Maurice’s hobbies include reading, playing badminton and writing his own poetry. He also has a unique talent of cooking and of hunting. Through his speech, Maurice will be addressing global issues in our environment, he will also be proposing some solutions to the issues.