Do you know what is “Dream City”？And do you like to play board games？Wallace from grade six will tell you what “creativity” truly bring to us，not only on games，also in our life.When finishing listening, please let your brain full of creativity! As a young voice in an interconnected world, Wallace aims to share insights on how digital-native generations perceive global challenges and foster dialogue across ages and cultures. His curiosity-driven approach to learning and creativity positions him to offer a fresh perspective on the intersection of youth, technology, and global awareness. 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

我有三枚属于我自己的署名印章，但我却偏爱着那一枚…… 听！石头会说话！看石头也在呼吸…… Eason Sun is a contemplative young artist with a quiet soul. An snowboarder , bookworm, and film enthusiast, he often finds solace in mountain slopes, pages, and cinematic stories—yet his deepest passion lies in the ancient art of seal carving. Though naturally reserved and once uncomfortable with public speaking, he discovered an unexpected eloquence through his craft. Each stroke of his knife became a silent language, teaching him patience, resilience, and the courage to leave marks—both on stone and in life. His TEDx talk reveals how an introvert’s quiet obsessions can carve paths louder than words. 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

At 14, a simple parkour attempt revealed a life-changing truth: I was living with Myasthenia Gravis, a rare neuromuscular disorder that causes extreme muscle weakness. In this talk, I share my journey from confusion and denial to acceptance and empowerment, showing how invisible struggles can reveal hidden strengths. Through personal anecdotes, medical insights, and lessons in resilience, I explore how facing challenges even silent ones can transform the way we live, learn, and lead. Hande Özcan is a high school student at Üsküdar American Academy with a passion for leadership and global affairs. She founded her school’s DECA chapter, serves on the student council, and is active in MUN. Living with Myasthenia Gravis, she draws strength and empathy from her experience while mentoring others and building her leadership skills. 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 today’s world, our most valuable resource isn’t gold, oil, or even money it’s attention. This talk explores the rise of the attention economy and how it mirrors a new form of digital feudalism. Just as serfs once worked the fields for lords, we now generate endless streams of data for tech giants, often without realizing it. Through stories, metaphors, and real-world examples, this talk reveals how platforms harvest our behavior, shape our choices, and even manipulate our sense of reality. But it’s not all doom and gloom by becoming aware of these hidden systems, we can reclaim our attention, protect our focus, and decide how we truly want to spend our most finite resource: time. Ela Nur Halil is a 9th-grade student at Üsküdar American Academy. She is enthusiastic about using technology to support underprivileged communities. As a member of her school’s debate club and Türkiye’s national debate team, she is passionate about the intersection of social sciences and data analysis in solving real-world challenges. Beyond academics, she is deeply engaged in tango and playing the piano. 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

What does it mean to truly exist? Are the choices we make really ours, or are we conditioned by culture, society, and circumstance? In this talk, I explore the tension between inherited identity and authentic selfhood. From the invisible forces shaping our behaviour to the subtle manipulations that guide our thoughts, I challenge the audience to question everything they take for granted. By daring to be fully present and free, we can awaken to a life of curiosity, creativity, and authentic emergence becoming, in essence, the 9th Symphony of our own existence. I am a psychotherapist who graduated from California State University, Fullerton. As well as running my own private practice, I have worked with UN Women and staged a show about gender equality. I have also produced a TV show on self-development and am a published writer. 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

Why does Gen Z laugh at tragedy? From memes about pandemics to TikToks about depression, their humor often shocks older generations. But behind the irony and absurdity lies something deeper: survival. This talk explores how dark humor, irony, and memes function as coping mechanisms in an age of constant crisis revealing that behind every laugh is fear, grief, and resilience. Zeynep Küçükmustafa is a 9th grade student at Üsküdar American Academy in Istanbul, where she is deeply involved in academic and extracurricular activities. She currently serves as the president of the World Scholars Cup club and has represented her school in various international competitions. Zeynep is passionate about social issues and is actively engaged in projects like Econofem, which promotes economic literacy in Turkey. She is the new treasurer of the Student Council and also an advocate for marginalized voices through her involvement as the liaison manager in Turkey’s Unheard Voices. In addition, Zeynep participates in the MUN club, bettering her leadership and diplomacy skills while working on global issues. Through these efforts, she demonstrates her commitment to creating positive change and making her voice heard. 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