What sound does the universe make?
How do babies learn languages?
While these subjects may not be considered typical topics for conversation, these are exactly the type of subjects discussed by presenters with TED, a non-profit organization promoting “ideas worth sharing.”
Today in Stewart Theater, N.C. State will once again host a lecture series geared toward the sharing of these experiences.
After being granted a license by TED, N.C. State hosted its first TEDxNCSU event in October 2010, and this semester’s event, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., will give ten speakers the opportunity to present their own “TEDtalk.”
To Michelle Grainger, program director for the Center for Innovating Management Studies, the TED presentation model is ideal, especially for presenters whose pioneering ideas may far outweigh their public speaking skills.
“If you go to the TED sites or has watched any of the TED videos on Youtube, you’ll quickly realize the content of these talks are amazing,” Grainger said. “They may not be world-renowned for their speaking abilities, but it’s their passion for their topics that makes them over-qualified.”
Granger, who was in included in the planning for the event last semester, said N.C. State has no shortage of students and faculty who have this passion, as was shown in last semester’s TEDx event.
“This event was very good last fall, which was my first TED event,” Grainger said. “I was really blown away by the caliber of speakers, and the speaker list for this event looks super.”
According to Tracy DiTucci, senior in international studies and student organizer for the event, N.C. State’s TEDx event has expanded from last semester, and will also include student presenters.
”This spring’s TEDxNCSU differs from the fall TEDxNCSU in that we have worked hard to incorporate strong student involvement in the development of the program,” DiTucci said. ”Whereas the fall TEDxNCSU highlighted one student speaker, we have expanded our event to include three student speakers who will give 10-18 minute talks on issues related to their field of study and their passions.”
The three students who will be presenting are: Garik Sadovy, a senior in material science and engineering; Jeff Huber, a senior in industrial engineering; and Kathleen Griffin, a senior in international studies. Their presentation topics range from educational reform to the role of social networks in journalism.
According to Granger, not only does she believe their topics of lecture are impressive, she said she commends them for being able to discuss their ideas within a certain set of restrictions.
“The format of this event is not that each speaker is given one hour to speak, but that each speaker was assigned an allotted time before they designed their presentation,” Grainger said. “Part of the challenge for the speakers is to be able to convey their perspective in a given amount of time. That in itself sends a powerful message to students.”
Granger said given N.C. State’s legacy, she believes the TEDxNCSU event will not only be successful, but will continue to improve exponentially.
”TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, and N.C. State excels in all three. The sheer motto and foundation of TED is to open one’s mind and it explores ideas that broaden one’s perspective,” Grainger said. “What better place to do this than N.C. State?”
