The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences is accepting online applications from NSU students, alumni, faculty and staff members to present at the fourth annual TEDxNSU 2015 until Oct. 19 at 5 p.m.
The theme for this year’s TEDxNSU is “Perception” and will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on April 4 at NSU’s Performance Theatre in the Don Taft University Center.
FCAS Associate Professor and TEDxNSU organizer Leanne Boucher, said, “One’s perceptions of events can really color an interpretation of something. We thought it would be interesting to see a variety of topics from different points of view and how, if we’re thinking about the same topic, but we come at it from different angles, we can learn more about that topic.”
TEDxNSU is an annual event modeled after TED talks that features engaging lectures, videos, visual art and interactive activities.
Natalie Negron, senior biology major, presented “The Gray Area” at TEDxNSU in March. She explained how her experience at a medical internship in Austria during the summer of 2013 made her reflect upon her life and realize that she wants to spend her life taking part in meaningful experiences because people never know how long they have to live.
“I knew that I had this really transformative experience and I wanted to share it with others,” she said. “It was an absolutely incredible experience. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had is being on that stage, looking out, and seeing everybody listening intently to my story.”
Applications must include a 250-word autobiography, 250-word abstract of the planned presentation, a statement of what the idea is, why the idea is worth sharing, what perspective the idea is presented from, how the topic relates to this year’s theme and why the applicant will be a good choice to speak.
Boucher said applicants should think about the one piece of advice they would give someone and provide that information from a specific point of view, such as age, culture or religion.
“Think of something that’s been really interesting in your life and has really made an impact,” Negron said. “Don’t be afraid to tell your story. You never know when someone will find that story to be really inspirational and it will cause them to make some sort of big change in their life.”
Boucher, along with Associate Professors W. Matthew Collins and Jason Gershman and Assistant Professor James Munoz will review applications and announce the list of speakers in December. Those who are selected will work with the application review committee throughout the winter 2015 semester to refine their messages and finalize their 10-12 minute presentations.
Boucher said that age is an important variable when considering perspective and that being young gives students a unique perspective on topics.
“Younger people, by virtue of their age, just have fewer life experiences, which can be both good and bad,” she said. “They’re not addled by the baggage that other people might have.”
Negron said, “It’s really important to have your own opinion on a subject, but it’s even more important to be able to listen to someone else’s opinion that may be different from your own and understand it.”
Boucher brought TED talks to NSU in 2012 and said that they are trying to reach a global audience by posting videos of the talks online.
“I always liked the TED talks because they’re so informative and they can open up a world of knowledge…I thought it would be fun to bring to NSU,” she said. “We all want to be educated; we all want to give back to the community; we all want to learn, and TEDx is a great way to connect back to the community.”
Attendance at TEDxNSU is limited to 100 people. The ticket request form will be available in 2015.
To submit an application, visit fcas.nova.edu/arts/tedxnsu. For more information, send an email to TEDxNSU@nova.edu.
