Shaarav (Year 9) explores The Psychology of Money and Value, challenging the assumption that humans make rational financial decisions by examining how emotion, social pressure and instant gratification shape our spending choices. He distinguishes between price and value, arguing that true wealth encompasses time, freedom, wellbeing and meaningful relationships rather than mere possessions, before introducing the concept of compound growth and encouraging mindful evaluation of financial decisions that balance immediate pleasure with long-term investment in skills, health and experiences. Shaarav is a Year 9 pupil at King’s College School, Wimbledon. He is very passionate about economics and has been reading many books on the topic lately. He enjoys maths, sciences, and Design Engineering at school and enjoys exploring extra-curricular topics around them. He also loves to play the piano, sings well, and has a passion for cooking and baking. 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

Arush (Year 10) examines The Evolution of Public Discourse, exploring how modern communication platforms have transformed the way ideas are shared and debated. He investigates three phenomena shaping contemporary dialogue: the impact of group dynamics on individual expression, algorithmic echo chambers that limit exposure to diverse perspectives and potentially radicalise views, and the challenges of balancing protection from harmful speech with open discussion. He argues that exposure to different viewpoints drives societal progress and calls for active engagement with diverse perspectives to strengthen public discourse. Aarush is a Year 10 pupil at King’s College School, Wimbledon, and has a great interest in political sciences and the dynamics of free speech. He has often competed in essay competitions exploring these subjects, but also enjoys drama and film, which has led to an interest in acting, and naturally a hunger for public speaking. 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

Nemmat (upper sixth) explores The Future of Flight through morphing wing technology, examining how compliant morphic materials could revolutionise aircraft design by replacing conventional mechanical flaps with seamlessly shape-shifting wing surfaces. He explains how embedded actuators enable smooth transitions in wing configuration, delivering a 30% reduction in noise pollution and 2% improvement in fuel efficiency during NASA trials, before assessing the challenges and timeline for bringing this promising aerospace innovation to commercial aviation. Nemmat is a sixth form pupil at King’s College School, Wimbledon. As a qualified pilot and aspiring aeronautical engineer, Nemmat's passion for aviation has led him to engage with the challenges facing the industry and the technical innovation required to overcome them. He is driven by the ambition and desire to tackle problems, particularly within Mathematics and Physics. Beyond studies, Nemmat's curiosity also compliments his hobbies of travelling, hiking and orienteering. 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

Chloe (upper sixth) examines The Ethics of Gene Editing, exploring how CRISPR technology enables precise modification of DNA sequences and the profound ethical questions this raises for society. She discusses both promising applications such as Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy and the challenges of ensuring informed consent, preventing societal divides between edited and unedited individuals, and balancing disease prevention with respect for those living with genetic conditions, before emphasising the critical importance of informed public discourse as gene editing becomes increasingly viable. Chloe is an Upper Sixth student at King’s College School, Wimbledon, and is studying the IB diploma. She is particularly interested in biology, and loves to deepen her understanding of the subject beyond the syllabus. As an aspiring medic, she is fascinated by the potential impact of medical advances, and the ethical quandaries associated with genome editing. 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

Mujahid (lower sixth) explores Understanding Dimensions Beyond Our Reality, demystifying the concept of dimensions as independent directions of movement before examining how space and time unite to form the four-dimensional spacetime fabric proposed by Minkowski and Einstein. He investigates string theory's radical proposition that our universe may contain 10 or 11 dimensions, with additional spatial dimensions compactified at scales too small to perceive, challenging our understanding of reality's fundamental framework and suggesting our universe represents just one possibility among countless dimensional configurations. Mujahid is a sixth form pupil at King’s College School, Wimbledon, who has a passion for metaphysics which ranges outside of the syllabus. He has a burning passion for the overlap between physics and philosophy, which questions the fundamental nature of our known reality - the universe – and explores what could possibly reside outside of it. 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

Ved (Year 8) explores The Microbiome Within, revealing how trillions of microorganisms living in our bodies outnumber our human cells and profoundly influence our physical and mental health. He examines the gut-brain axis, explaining how gut bacteria produce essential vitamins and hormones that affect mood, sleep and stress levels, before offering practical guidance on nurturing this invisible ecosystem through prebiotics, probiotics and mindful dietary choices. Ved is a Year 8 pupil at Kings College School, with a genuine love for learning. He has a particular passion for Maths and Science, driven by a deep curiosity about how the world works. Beyond the classroom, he is a keen debater and enjoys public speaking. In his free time, he plays hockey, cricket, and swims regularly. He also enjoys reading and playing video games as well as programming. 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