Theme: Figuring Out Y

Have you ever just sat there and wondered why we live the life we live now?

In adolescent life, it is believed that about 70 questions are proposed a day by an individual. That is 490 questions each week, 1,960 each month, 23,520 each year! Crazy. This means that you could raise a question whenever you want, on whatever you perceive, and, most unexpectedly, even when you do not solicit one. Yet it is through these unnoticeable questions that we formulate, we employ logical thinking and derive an answer that is most suitable to us.

Nevertheless, being surrounded by mass information on social media and the internet as we reached the digital age, we often follow certain principles and ingrain different concepts without questioning whether or not they make sense. It is all based on the supposed trends posted on social networks. You got a question? Easy. Pick a browser. Type it in. Click on a link. Problem solved. A person may have concerns in regard to weight loss, thus surfing the web and applying a particular method to oneself simply because a diet blog says that it is effective.

Oftentimes, we receive problems that ask us to find the value of a variable in math practices. Certainly, there is a kaleidoscope of ways for you to get the correct answer without making any efforts. Nonetheless, if we never try and solve them on our own, we will never learn. Same when it is interpreted through the societal lens. We are constantly informed by others that we need to be influential and that we need to change. Yet why do we need to make a change? That is the real question.

Therefore, TEDxSoongChingLingSchool this year will focus on the theme of “Figuring Out Y” this coming March, aiming to inspire more people to reflect on their journeys of thinking and solve for their Ys.

Soong Ching Ling School Theatre
No.2 Yehui Rd, Qingpu District
Shanghai, Shanghai, 201700
China

Emma Xue

Student

When you hear the term "self-love," what comes to your mind? Could it be deeper and more powerful than you ever thought? In my upcoming speech, I want to explore how self-love involves understanding our true selves, embracing our flaws, and building on our unique strengths - its use in real life. I’m excited to share this journey with you, hope it may give you some inspiration!

Keefe Chang

Student

I'm here to share my eye-opening journey to Barcelona. Since COVID, I yearned to travel, and a chance to a tennis camp there came up. On the long flight, I thought I knew Spain and its culture. But once there, everything was different. This experience led me to question and explore; linking it to Chinese philosophy, I will be figuring out the gap between our knowledge and actions.

Lorenzo Chambers

Student

I was sweating, my heart pounding. My legs shook slightly as a began to take the stage. My hands were shaking as the emcee handed me the microphone. This was me, moments before giving a public speech to my elementary school. It was the first time I had ever spoken publicly before

Ramona Li

Student

SCLS G10 Student

Roger He

Student

SCLS G11 Student

Sarah Qiu

Student

People are born to ask why. Babies have been asking why since they first learned to speak: “Why is the sky blue? Why does the sun shine? Why can't we fly on our own?” Curiosity is a crucial part of human nature. It helps us explore the world, develop our country, and maintain our passion for life. In my speech, we will discuss why curiosity and the constant questioning of “why”s are indispensable for humans.