Thea Xuan, a Grade 9 student at RDF International School, passionate about singing, cycling, and public speaking. As a junior instructor in the E-Inclusive Education Club's remote rural classroom initiative, she explores AI-related topics through the lens of her lived experiences, demonstrating how technological literacy can empower underprivileged communities. Thea is a student in Grade 9 at RDFIS. She enjoys singing, cycling, and giving speeches in her spare time. As a RDFIS student, she strictly adheres to the school motto of Responsibility, Discipline, and Fortitude. 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

We live in a world designed for waste, where nearly 99% of what we buy is discarded within six months and where food waste alone contributes more to climate change than the aviation industry. But what if waste wasn’t the problem? What if the real issue was how we design and think about the things we use? In this talk, Darshita shares insights from her research on waste, composting, and industrial ecology, exploring how nature’s circular systems can inspire us to rethink sustainability. By asking better questions as consumers, like where does this product come from? and what happens when I’m done with it?, we can challenge the throwaway culture and start shaping a future where waste isn’t inevitable—it’s a thing of the past. (CREDITS: ASL Interpreter: Amy Rios-Richardson; Organizing Team: Myren Bobryk-Ozaki, Ferdinand Jr Virtudes, William Li, Matthew Oley, Kenzo Colon, Melissa Xie; Editors: Bryan Agnello, Myren Bobryk-Ozaki; Lead Video Production: Bryan Agnello; Camera Operators: Chase Powers, Sophi Oliveira, Chase Roman, Julio Cruz Jr, Stacey Washington; Tech Crew: Cam Harrington, Wally Adam, Ben Jacobson, Bek Dillay, Dylan Aguirre; Crew: Mohammed Adnan, Aarushi Sharma, Igor Polotai, Gaby Blanton, Pravina Bhalerao; Designers: Zo Murray (illustration), Erick Wittmann (motion graphics); Photographer: Jack Connolly) Master’s student in Sustainable Systems at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) who is passionate about finding creative ways to make sustainability a part of everyday life. With a background in Computer Science, she combines technical skills with a love for environmental innovation. One of her favorite projects has been conducting NSF-funded research on the lifecycle impact of tabletop composters, exploring how they can transform household waste into a resource while reducing environmental impact. She also worked on campus initiatives to reduce waste and designed sustainability courses to inspire others to take action. For her, sustainability isn’t just about science—it’s about connecting with people, sharing ideas, and making change happen, one step at a time. 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

Consider how communal kitchen spaces can strengthen communities and bring us together. Andrea is a food justice advocate and culinary creative working to build food systems that are truly equitable for people and the planet. She was born, bred, and buttered in Central New York and is a proud, first-generation graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. Since then, she has spent her career working across a variety of food and beverage operations positions in the Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Denver areas. Most recently she completed a master’s degree in Gastronomy at Boston University where she concentrated in Food Policy. Her roles in activism, research, and community engagement have allowed her to contribute to several social impact projects related to farmers’ market reform, urban food access, and environmental sustainability in university dining halls. When she’s not busy spotting fellow left-handers in TV and movies, she can likely be found reading, hiking, or trying regional dishes throughout her travels. 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

Unpack the revolutionary roots of Haiti, the cost of freedom, and what it means to carry the legacy of resistance while navigating privilege, displacement and identity. Bermina M Chery is an undergraduate senior at Boston University studying Political Science and African American and Black Diaspora Studies. Born in Boston and raised in Mattapan, she demonstrates great pride in the coalescence of her identities as a Black Bostonian of Haitian descent. As an adolescent, Chery constantly toiled with conceptualizing the manifestation of injustices and why they occur. It was this constant struggle that cemented her entry into local youth political activism, particularly within the environmental sector. From her participation in climate protests to her past role as the Director of the Climate Action committee on the Boston Mayor’s Youth Council, Chery found hope for the future in advocating for marginalized communities. Today, she hopes to inspire others, especially young people, to use civic engagement and activism as their weapon against incomprehensible unjust realities. 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

Arsène Keruburundi, AP Psychology Teacher at RDF International School. He holds a Master's degree in Environmental and Resource Law from Ningbo University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Bujumbura Light University. With years of experience as a social sciences educator, his pedagogical focus centers on psychology, particularly through examining human-AI relationships via evolutionary psychology and humanistic psychology frameworks. His research posits that adaptation remains humanity's survival imperative – and the AI era is no exception. Mr. Keruburundi is from Burundi. He has a Master's Degree in Environmental and Resources Law from Ningbo University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Bujumbura Light University. He has many years of working experience as a Social Sciences Teacher and teaches Psychology, Geography, and History. He also worked as a Counselor, and has a passion for helping youth. He likes to interact with students and creates a fun environment to acquire knowledge. 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

Emily Sun, a current G11 student at RDF International School and an accomplished jazz pianist with exceptional artistic attainments in music. When Musical Performance Meets AI: This time, my collaborator is not human, but artificial intelligence. Emily is a student from Grade 11 who has a great passion for music. During her free time, she likes to play jazz on the piano, read books and learn foreign languages. Emily loves to challenge herself, and she’s glad to have this opportunity to share you about her thoughts. 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