Speaker Orientation Blast!

Last week, TEDxBeaconStreet held our second Speaker Orientation in preparation for our fifth annual conference this November. Building upon our first session from almost a month ago, we welcomed over a dozen new speakers to the MIT Media Lab, where each speaker provided a first glimpse into his or her talk.

We heard an amazing range of stories from those assembled, including thoughts on several different topics:

Charles Victor Fracchia hopes to reform practices in scientific research to include the latest in automation and smart technology, thereby leading to fewer repetitive errors, more efficient experiments, and ultimately, more breakthroughs in biomedical science. Arek Stopczynski studies small groups of human populations, and shared insights into human behavior and interaction based upon patterns he found in personal data.

Hunter and Grace Henderson shared their perspective on what it’s like to be national champion freestyle skiers at a young age, and how they balance their dedication to sport at a high level with their everyday lives. Cameron Mastoras spoke about how joining his high school’s robotics club re-ignited his interest in education, and his vision for a more engaging educational environment.

Sarah Beaulieu explained why male allies are important in supporting victims of sexual violence, and that we should engage in conversations that positively impact others’ lives, irrespective of gender. Laura Ingalls shared a personal story from her early career as a performer, and passionately communicated that when we focus on health, not on body size, we’re more likely to achieve our goals and be happy.

Will you be able attend our next rehearsal, or do you know someone who could share a unique perspective with one of our speakers? We would love to hear from you! Stay tuned for more information about the speaker preparation process and other exciting news as we count down to TEDXBeaconStreet 2016