Bribed into his first triathlon at age 5 (thanks, Disneyland!), George thought he'd drown - until he accidentally became a champion. Now he gets chased by crabs, does math mid-race, and wins medals while proving our "weaknesses" are just untapped superpowers. Moral? Life's more fun when you stop fighting your limits...and start racing with them! George Wei is a fourth-grade student at HIBA Academy Shanghai and a passionate triathlete with over five years of training in swimming, running, and cycling. His dedication earned him a bronze medal at the 2023 National Triathlon U-Series Competition, and he proudly represented Pudong District in the 2024 Shanghai Student Games (Primary School Division) triathlon event. Beyond sports, George has a deep love for literature and musical theatre. By age 8, he scored 800 on the TOEFL Junior test, and by 9, he earned the French A2 language certification. His creative talents shine through his writing and performance — he has been named one of the Scholastic Asia Young Storytellers Award “Top Ten” and won first prize in both writing and speech at the ESDP Shanghai Competition.In 2024, George expanded his horizons as a model for NIKE Kids’ summer campaign and Kidswear at Shanghai Fashion Week. He is also a member of the Shanghai Earflying Children's Theatre Troupe. 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

Sibling innovators Saaketh and Saahithi Madhuvarsu are the founders of Busy Buzzy Bots, a nonprofit using creativity and compassion to make STEM education fun and accessible for all. In their talk, they share how curiosity, coding, and community impact come together to empower young minds—and how their workshops and kits are changing lives around the world. Their story proves that age is no barrier to innovation or making a difference.Saaketh and Saahithi Madhuvarsu are the sibling founders of Busy Buzzy Bots, a nonprofit dedicated to making STEM education accessible and inspiring for all. Saaketh, a creative middle schooler with a passion for robotics and basketball, began coding at five and has since built 10+ apps and advanced robotics projects. Saahithi, a driven high schooler, channels her love for tech and innovation into developing mobile apps, STEM kits, and exploring AI in healthcare.Together, they lead hands-on workshops and design educational kits that have reached hundreds of young learners. All profits support underprivileged children worldwide with food, education, and shelter. United by curiosity, compassion, and a love of problem-solving, they aim to spark a lifelong love of STEM in the next generation. 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 candid and insightful talk, Ibrahim Bashir reflects on his narrow loss in the Los Altos City Council race—and why it became one of the most meaningful experiences of his life. Drawing from decades of experience in tech and civic service, he shares what it means to lead, to lose with purpose, and to keep pushing forward even when the finish line feels just out of reach. A powerful reminder that sometimes, the impact of our efforts matters more than the outcome. Ibrahim Bashir has been creating software for nearly 25 years, a journey he started while earning his Master's in Computer Science from the University of Michigan. He currently works on the product team at Applied Intuition, helping customers build intelligent vehicles. Before that, he scaled the flagship product at Amplitude, new businesses at Box, service infrastructure at Twitter, and the Kindle ecosystem at Amazon.Ibrahim has also been an active civic servant over the last decade, operating as a community organizer and serving as a library commissioner. In the most recent election cycle, Ibrahim ran for a seat on the Los Altos City Council. As a naturalized immigrant and minority candidate, he brought a unique perspective to the race; although he ultimately fell short by a margin of 1%, he managed to execute the most sophisticated campaign in the history of the city. 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

Samarth Gill shares how his passion for service, science, and community led him to create VoluntHero—a platform connecting students with meaningful volunteer opportunities across California. From being a temple volunteer to interning at NASA, his journey reflects how diverse experiences can empower rejected voices and strengthen communities. In this talk, he inspires young changemakers to build, lead, and uplift others through purpose-driven action. I am Samarth Gill, an aspiring aerospace engineer, student researcher, and the founder of VoluntHero, a non-profit focused on providing a platform to connect students with meaningful service opportunities across California. I'm a curious builder, community mentor, and lifelong learner. Being able to gain experiences from all walks of life, from volunteering at my temple to interning at NASA, I've been able to deliver these opportunities to once-rejected volunteers and provide a platform that not only helps them embolster their communities but also make a positive impact outside of the classroom. If you want to have a great conversation with me, let's talk about F1, futbol, Minecraft, or Aerospace! 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 empowering talk, Sanya Khan reflects on the power of perseverance—on and off the court. As a competitive squash player, award-winning speaker, and math enthusiast, she shares how discipline, passion, and self-belief have helped her grow as both an athlete and a student. Sanya encourages young people to embrace challenges, find joy in the process, and push forward with confidence.Sanya Khan is a rising 9th Grader at Oakwood High School, a competitive squash player, and public speaker. She is the winner of the 2023 Santa Clara Silver GU13 squash tournament, the 2021 Silver Oak Speech champion, and the recipient of Oakwood’s 2025 Math Momentum Award. Her hobbies include baking, reading, and playing squash, and her favorite school subject is math. Sanya lives in California with her parents, her two sisters, and her dog, Dolce. 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

This talk looks into how artists like Sabrina Carpenter challenge outdated norms with unapologetic self-expression, and how the evolving music industry reflects shifting ideas of female autonomy. 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