Student Affairs

TEDx event brings “Innovate to Elevate” event to campus on Saturday, Aug. 24

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TED Talks are returning to Clemson University.

For the first time since 2022, Clemson students are coming together to host an a TEDx event in the Strom Thurmond Institute auditorium on Saturday, August 24. Registration is required to attend the limited seating event, which is open to all students, faculty and staff. Tickets are donation-based and cover food and merchandise.

“This year’s theme is ‘Innovate to Elevate,’ playing off of the Clemson Elevate strategic plan,” says Nitya Harikumar, a senior computer engineering major and lead organizer for TEDx. “All of our speakers will be focusing on innovation.”

Speakers are scheduled throughout the day on the 24th, starting with an opening session at 9:15 a.m. In addition to TED Talks, the event features student group performances from Tiger Band, Mock Turtle Soup (improv), Clemson Dohlna (dance) and Dynamix (mixed a cappella).

“We wanted to bring the TEDx experience back to Clemson,” says Harikumar, who assisted at the 2022 event as a member of the A/V production team. “It’s an honor to lead that and bring it back to Clemson, particularly for those who may not be able to travel long distances for TEDx events. Our goal is to make sure they have a positive experience, network with others and share ideas.”

FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Registration and Breakfast (8:30 – 9:15 AM)

Session 1: (9:15 – 10:15 AM)

  • Introduction
  • Kathryn Kisska-Schulze – 365 Moments of Joy
  • Carlos Garcia – Teaching Chemistry to Computers
  • Performance: Dholna

Coffee + Networking Break (10:15 AM – 10:45 AM)

Session 2: (10:45 – 11:45 AM)

  • Performance: Dynamix
  • Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens – Why Kids Are the Best AI App Designers
  • Andrew Lambrecht  – Engineering Your Day For Peak Efficiency
  • Ramakrishna Podila – Sparking Surprises: The Story of Static Electricity

Lunch, Networking, and Hall Activities (11:45 AM – 1:00 PM)

Session 3: (1:00 – 2:10 PM)

  • Performance: Mock Turtle Soup
  • Angela Gardner and Christi Powell- Vision to Victory: Through BLUEPRINTS and BREAKTHROUGHS
  • Elizabeth Caldwell –  Now You See Me: Recognizing Invisible and Dynamic Disabilities
  • Alexander Brown – Loneliness; It’s an Epidemic

Break (2:10 – 2:40 PM)

Session 4: (2:40 – 3:30 PM)

  • Andrew Hurley – Unveiling Packaging Truths
  • Lori Trudell – Community Builds Community
  • Performance: Tiger Band

Networking and Hall Activities (3:30 – 4 PM)