What if middle school allowed more time for kids to be kids? Amanda Fanelli advocates for a more student-centered, place-based, experiential learning approach in our public middle school curriculums based on models that allow for exploration and less time sitting still. An award-winning IB History teacher with 19 years of experience helping students understand their role as citizens, Amanda Fanelli was honored as the 2024 Gilder Lehrman Georgia History Teacher of the Year and the 2024 Sol C. Johnson High School Teacher of the Year. She is passionate about guiding her students to confront the challenges that climate change is presenting to marginalized people around the world and in their own community.Amanda earned a B.A. in History from Roosevelt University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell. A Fulbright Scholar, she is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Curriculum Theory at Georgia Southern University.In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature and exploring the beauty of the Hostess City with her family. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this speech, Pranith explores the challenges and innovations in organ transplantation. With over 105,000 people on the waitlist each year, medical breakthroughs like xenotransplantation, organ perfusion systems like CRISPR offer hope, but inefficiencies in organ transport, immune rejection, and ethical issues persist. Pranith will discuss how innovations like animal-to-human transplants and heart-in-a-box technology can improve outcomes. This talk shows how addressing these systemic issues can save lives and inspire change—one heart at a time. Pranith Surapaneni is a Senior at Blue Valley Northwest High School. In his free time, he is a children’s book author, singer-songwriter, athlete, cancer researcher, and entrepreneur. In college, Pranith is pursuing a career in the intersection between healthcare and business. By combining his strengths with his mission, he hopes to create a positive impact on the communities around him. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Under your feet right now, a living, breathing network more complex than any human-made system stretches for miles. Fungal threads weave through soil, connecting trees, plants, and ecosystems in a giant net that has existed long before humans walked the Earth. This talk explores the secret life of mycelial networks—nature's original communication system. From packaging that grows itself to computational models that mimic fungal communication, this talk reveals the untapped potential hidden beneath our feet. Arshika is a junior at Olathe North with a passion for science and technology. Outside of school, she enjoys volunteering at local initiatives, playing piano and guitar, and crocheting. With a strong drive for learning and innovation, Arshika strives to advance healthcare in an increasingly technology-driven world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In "Why a Father Thanked Me—His Child's Prosecutor," Rishabh Barve asks, "Why?" Why would a father thank the prosecutor sanctioning his son? And how might young people volunteering in diversion programs continue to inspire such gratitude? This TedX talk explores both questions, uncovering a lesser known impact to restorative justice. Rishabh Barve is a high school senior who serves as a student attorney for Johnson County Youth Court in Kansas City. From Anaheim to D.C., and convention halls to courtrooms, he has competed as an orator to hone his skills as a public speaker. A dabbler in novel writing and a policymaker in training, Rishabh looks forward to speaking at his first TEDx event. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The Ted Talk, "How Perfectionism Leads to Procrastination," examines the pitfalls of perfectionism, its causes, and developmental implications. It explores procrastination's connection to perfectionism and offers strategies for overcoming both. Aligning with the "Inspiring Change" theme, the presentation aims to educate, motivate, and equip the audience with solutions to enhance productivity and success. Avery Davenport is a student at Blue Valley Northwest High School. She is a varsity cheerleader and is a member of DECA, FBLA, and Yearbook. She loves to do arts and crafts in her free time and spend time with her family. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

One anecdotal experience that shaped a lifeline, and a new perspective on taking action - Paritosh Patel retells a personal story that impacted his viewpoint on the nature of inaction. By analyzing the truths and misconceptions of the “Bystander Effect”, his Tedx talk explores the nature of why we choose not to act - an account involving both sides of taking initiatives. A senior at Blue Valley North High School, Paritosh Patel has integrated, to the highest levels, his sense of community with a passion for science through his involvement in Student Council, and a state-winning Science Olympiad team. Outside of school, he pursues and develops his professional skills, whether through his intellectual curiosity for biomedical studies at the UMKC School of Medicine, or in Anaheim as an international-level DECA presenter. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx