What if the key to life’s toughest problems is hidden in the way you approach a simple puzzle? From childhood jigsaws to escape rooms, Andrea dives into the surprising power of puzzles to shape our minds, strengthen our relationships, and even help us see the world from a new perspective. Andrea has always enjoyed the challenge of solving puzzles, having completed over 100 escape rooms and puzzle hunts to date. As a dedicated member of her school's math team, she helped lead her team to victory at the INTEGIRLS all-female puzzle competition with her passion for problem-solving. From these experiences, she began to explore how puzzles foster collaboration and creativity, and why we can all benefit from embracing the problem-solving mindset puzzles encourage. Andrea is also a driven athlete on her school’s golf and lacrosse teams, and plays the viola in her school’s symphony orchestra. When not solving puzzles, you can find Andrea immersed in a good book or playing the guitar. 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

Mutual Aid, Mutual Benefit Barnard College '27 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

Too often, we only realize the value of a moment, a person, or a relationship when it begins to slip away. We wait—for the right time or for life to teach us a lesson—only to discover that time doesn’t wait for us. The scarcity of time can become a wake-up call—not to fear, but to love more deeply and live more intentionally. Mariana is an 8th Grade TES student. 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

Living with anxiety doesn’t mean living without hope. What we often call “shy” or “quiet” can be something deeper—something that shapes not only our actions, but our sense of self. But what if anxiety isn’t a flaw to fix, but a part of being human to understand? With the right tools, a bit of compassion, and the courage to show up anyway, even the most overwhelming moments can become manageable. And maybe, they can lead us somewhere stronger. Mariana Bento is an 11th grade student 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

¿Y si el miedo no fuera un enemigo, sino una señal de que necesitamos cuidado? Nos enseñaron a ocultarlo, a callarlo, a resistir… como si sentir fuera una debilidad. Pedir ayuda no es rendirse, es un acto de valentía. Aceptar nuestras emociones no nos rompe, nos revela. Porque ser fuerte no es cargarlo todo en silencio, sino reconocer que no tenemos que hacerlo solos. Maria Paula is a psychologist. 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

Empathy is often seen as something soft, emotional, even optional, a nice-to-have in a world ruled by logic and efficiency. But what if we’ve misunderstood its real power? Empathy, when redefined, can become a driving force behind meaningful, lasting change. It should not only be seen as a feeling, but as a tool for questioning, understanding, and rebuilding the systems around us. Maria Alejandra is a 10th Grade TES student. 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