ISB Takes the Stage at TEDx: Lights, Camera, Action!

At this week’s TEDxYouth@ISBangkok 2019 event, a select group of ISB students will deliver short, powerful speeches on a variety of topics relevant to life in the present day.

ISB has selected “Catalyst for Change” as its continuing topic for these TEDx speeches – a broad theme that allows students to use their imagination as they develop original ideas on a great variety of topics.

ISB students researched and wrote their own speech and then fellow classmates voted on the best speeches, from all the talks presented. This process narrowed down the top talks to 8 students, who are to present to a wider audience on the TEDx stage, and an online to a global audience.

Our teachers and staff provided continuing support through every stage of the creative process.

This year’s student speakers and topics

In the past, our remarkable students tackled important issues from all corners of society, from the need for arts in schools, to the taboos surrounding mental health.

This year is no different. With an exciting lineup covering crucial world issues, speakers at our TEDx event will expose the audience to all kinds of new topics. By setting a positive example, they will also help inspire the rest of our school to appreciate the power of diligent research, creative thinking, and confident speaking, while sparking interest in a set of fascinating topics.

This year’s participants are Anatta Tantiwongse, Craig Dawe, Fizza Mobin, Yeonie Heo, Madison Mehta, Montawan Chairatchaneeboon, Tatarit Yensuang and Xuan Fan Loo. Here are a few examples of the interesting complex topics they will cover.

Madison Metha’s ‘Environmental Ignorance’ speech is an in-depth exploration of the frightening reality of the ongoing environmental decay in our community. Her talk tackles the root causes of the issue, including our fear and inability to look to the future, as well as our instinct to fall into the role of bystander. Madison will conclude her talk by introducing practical, step-by-step solutions to one of the great problems of our age.

Craig Dawe’s ‘Illusion of Individuality’ examines the importance of individuality, showing that people tend to conform to the lazy habits they often observe around them. Chris’s speech encourages the audience to be more authentic, reflecting brilliantly many of ISB’s core values, including self-management and creativity.

Seongyeon (Yeonie) Heo’s ‘Being a Second Language Speaker’ draws on her experiences and challenges in moving from Korea to Thailand. Her talk will look at how second language learners think and feel when they struggle with their new language. She emphasizes the importance of learning and improving from mistakes, instead of being afraid to make one. Ultimately, in reflecting social intelligence and global mindedness, her talk aims to get native speakers to understand the experiences and struggles of second language learners.

Anatta Tantiwongse’s ‘The Case for Reading’ highlights the importance of reading as a pastime, an activity that has seen a decrease in popularity in recent years. The talk will explore the true value of reading, and how it can enrich lives in far-reaching ways. During her speech, Anatta will show the audience how much they have already learned from reading, and how much they can continue to gain by doing so.

Montawan (Nae Nae) Chairatchaneeboon’s ‘Benefits of Community Service’ focuses on how volunteer work affects the lives of those who participate in it. By drawing on her experiences in community service, she will emphasize how the ISB’s requirements in this area have helped her and other students discover new sources of inspiration. Montawan will show that the successful implementation of a service action plan has the ability to change the lives of those who are giving and receiving alike, reflecting the importance of a socially intelligent and value driven approach to life.

For more information about this year’s event, please visit theTEDxYouth@ISBangkok 2019 event page.

Benefits for all involved

As in previous years, ISB is genuinely proud of the high quality of the speeches being presented, as they demonstrate just how much talent and creativity our students have.

Many teachers praised the preparation work of the presenters, as they demonstrated school attributes by remaining value-driven, socially-intelligent, creative, globally minded and self-managing. High School English Teacher, David Giles added, “It’s an authentic and real world experience. Kids really feel passionate about their topics – and present with no notes, and eye-popping tech!”

TEDx events are also a great way for both speakers and audience to gain fluency in social situations. Engagement with the audience allows the student speakers to further express their ideas, building new connections to the wider ISB community.

Professional growth is another key benefit of participation in TEDx, as the experience helps develop presenters’ abilities as thinkers as well as speakers. Students who take part in the TEDx event can also highlight this experience, and the tangible skills they receive, on their CVs.

The speakers are not the only students to benefit from the experience. The event is coordinated by students, the lights and sound and other technology requirements are handled by students, the video editing and uploading to the global TEDx Platform are also all handled by students. It is valuable learning and real world experience for all involved.

Of course, the last remaining ingredient of TEDx is: fun. Students and audience members alike have a terrific experience at every TEDxYouth@ISBangkok event – an early and exceptionally bright highlight of the new year.

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, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. 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.)