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).

TEDxYouth@GranvilleIsland
3919 W 23rd Ave
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6S 1L1
Canada

Aaron Pierce

Having gone from being a terrified introvert to an award winning public speaking coach, Aaron Pierce knows the discomfort that can come from speaking. In his energetic talk, he shows some of the tools he teaches new speakers to help them get past some of the most common fears in speaking, so they can gain confidence, connect with an audience, and speak to make an impact.

Aaron Wang

“Every kid starts out as a natural-born scientist. A few trickles through the system with their wonder and enthusiasm for science intact.” Carl Sagan Aaron personifies Carl Sagan’s statement. Aaron, a YouTube educational creator, is an Intern at Dark Star Quantum Lab. Aaron brings imagination, a fresh perspective and a positive social impact alignment to the forefront of quantum technology. Aaron believes what people thought was impossible yesterday, is possible today. Aaron is supported by his mentor Dave D’Silva an Industry 4.0 head-hunter for top PhDs, academics, researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurial innovators with a common goal: To achieve sustainable and ethical goals through quantum mechanics, AI, and blockchain, an emerging technology framework to unite society. Aaron’s goal to end suffering and save the world holds profound implications and opportunities through imagination for a brighter future. In sharing his knowledge in a fun way about what is possible through science, space, and quantum technology, Aaron represents inspiration and support for kids, families, and communities with his positive vision of the future.

Alex Jing

Alex is a 12-year-old student in Vancouver, BC. He is currently attending grade seven at Norma Rose Point elementary. Experiencing moving from his home country China to an unfamiliar place, Alex goes through the struggles of blending in and connecting with others. Alex is sharing many of his personal stories about how he fought for a sense of belonging. You are welcome to join Alex as he goes back in time and speaks about belonging, connecting with others, and the importance of help.

Amanda Qi

Amanda is a 16-year-old student here in Vancouver who loves dancing, playing the piano, and drawing. Having seen so many friends around her stop improving at what they love, she strives to inspire them to ignite their passions and grow their skills

Anirudh Kashyap

Anirudh Kashyap is a 15-year-old Langley student who loves to challenge himself. Having experienced the hardships that come with a lack of self-confidence, He believes that through goal setting, every kid in British Columbia can improve themselves and learn to appreciate who they are as individuals. In his spare time, Anirudh enjoys playing piano on cloudy evenings and is often found listening to Jazz music.

Erfan Torfenejad

Erfan Torfenejad is a 19-year-old college student who immigrated to Canada when he 16. Since then, he fell in love with volunteering because he believes that people can discover their true selves by being involved with their community.

Grace Hu

Grace Hu is a 17-year-old from Vancouver. She believes that taking personal risks is required to push us forward—whether to pursue our dreams, or to forge meaningful relationships. Meanwhile, you can probably find her writing, debating, playing music, and indulging her insatiable interest in a billion unrelated things.

Jade Wang

Jade Wang is a 14-year-old student who loves debating, public speaking, science fairs, and trying new things. Jade has noticed how many people quit activity after activity, without giving them a fair shot, and is determined to help others discover their love for trying something new

James Du

James is a 12-year-old student in Vancouver, BC. He is currently attending his last year at Dr. Annie B. Jamieson elementary school. With many lessons gathered from the loneliness of not having many friends, James wants to share how he has grown socially over the past few years. James loves to hang out with all his friends, make new ones, and partake in every single one of his passions. He draws, plays violin, and guitar, is level 10 in public speaking, and can skate, swim, play basketball, and badminton.

Joey Liu

Joey Liu, 15, is currently attending high school in Surrey, BC. As someone who is driven by self improvement, he believes that anyone can better themselves by turning simple ideas into productive tools. When he’s not preparing his TEDx speech, he can be found dabbling in competitive STEM competitions and building his textbook collection.

Kimberly Newell

Kimberly Newell is an Olympian and professional ice hockey goalie for Team China. She inspires and develops the next generation of female athletes through her involvement in the local community. She explores the importance of human connection in sports and in life.

Kyara Lalli

Kyara Lalli is a 17-year-old Vancouver student who cares a lot about family, especially her twin sister. However, she faced difficulties growing up alongside her sister and feels it is important for everyone to recognize the adverse effects of comparison. Kyara’s favourite activity to do with her sister is take their dogs out for long walks.

Lev Karasin

Defining moments when you feel you can't or won't measure up will weigh you down, with a couple of simple steps you can begin to feel your worth, make a difference for yourself and those around you, by creating open door moments.

Lucas Wei

Lucas Wei is a grade 9 student from Ontario attending Toronto Montessori School, who is preparing for being a lifeguard as a first job and has so far finished several courses in the “lifesaving society” as well as some emergency first-aid courses. He gained more valuable experience in the lifesaving class than in the certificate and hopes to share it with more people.

Mia Xu

Mia Xu is an 8-year-old girl from Ontario attending Unionville Montessori School who loves to swim. In her spare time, Mia enjoys reading all kinds of books and is often found fantasising over fictional characters. Mia wants to share with you her story about being positive in her first swim meet. Always remember to stay positive, and things might turn out not so bad after all.

Sophia Shi

Sophia Shi is a 16-year-old Vancouver student seeking to raise awareness of the fake reality on social media. At 11, she became the youngest Vancouver Fashion Week model and has walked for many runaways and appeared in over ten publications, including British Vogue and Vogue China. Through her experiences as a model, Sophia intends to empower young women by combating unrealistic beauty ideals and promoting unconditional self-acceptance.

Vanessa Wideski

Vanessa Wideski is the executive director of The Low Entropy Foundation. She lives in Coquitlam, BC with her husband and their blended family of four children. Travelling extensively and following her passion, Vanessa is a voracious learner who shares her love for community building through volunteerism and advocacy work.

Verity Leung

Verity Leung is a 12-year-old homelearner from Vancouver who loves to play the piano. Having experienced the difficulties of the pandemic, she found her unique way, within the confines of her home, of connecting with people from all over the world to support asylum seekers who have been forcibly displaced from their home countries. In her spare time, Verity enjoys reading, doing parkour and analyzing human minds and behaviours.