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TED-Ed Student Talks

The TED-Ed Student Talks program provides a free curriculum that supports students in identifying, developing and sharing their ideas in the form of short, TED-style talks. This curriculum is used in over 130 countries by educators in classrooms, schools, extra-curricular settings and educational organizations.

Two people cheerfully discussing notesA smiling person, hands held together in a grateful gestureA boy presenting an idea with hands in a waving gestureA girl giving a presentation, with outstretched handAn audience responding with laughter

Fill out our application to provide us with more information about why you and your organization/school want to use the TED-Ed Student Talks program. We review applications and approve access to our curriculum three times a year. To learn more about the application process and the program, continue reading below.

Submit an application here
A presenter smiles, with fists raised

Why we help develop and amplify student voice

We believe there is a multitude of impact when students are asked about what they care about, are working as a group to develop ideas, and are invited to share those ideas in front of a larger audience. Through the program, students develop 21st century skills, deepen their student-student and student-educator relationships, and are better prepared to advocate for the problems of today and the future.

A group of student presenters posing for a photo

How the program works

TED-Ed Student Talks program provides a free activity-based curriculum for educators to use with either a group of students in a classroom, in an extra-curricular setting, or as a plug-in to an existing program at an youth/educational organization. When an educator’s application is approved, they receive access to a customized virtual, interactive learning platform in our TED Community space. This is where they will access curriculum resources and the ability to connect with our team and other educators using the program. We suggest each educator submit their own application in order to access the learning platform and resources.

A screenshot of the application process

How the application process works

We review and approve applications three times a year and approved educators are given access to our curriculum resources for 12 months from their approval date. The application is always open and we will approve applications on April 1, August 1 and December 1. You can choose one of these dates once you start the application. Applicants will share personal information and applicants must: be 21 years or older, submit the application in English, and either be working directly with or supporting educators who work with students ages 6-18 (not at the university level).

We ask applicants to categorize their organization under one of the following organization types:

  • School (i.e. Nottingham High School)
  • Group of schools (i.e. Elizabeth Forward School District)
  • Nonprofit local chapter/location (i.e Boys and Girls Club El Paso)
  • National/International nonprofit office (i.e. Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board of Canada)

How you can participate in the program

1

Step 1

Think about when you would like to start the program. When you apply, you can select April 1, August 1 or December 1 as your start date to access our resources.

2

Step 2

Submit an application! It takes 5-10 minutes to elaborate on your organization’s details, your role as an educator, your students, and your plans to utilize the curriculum at your organization.

3

Step 3

During our application review, we may send you follow-up questions from our tededstudents@ted.com email address. We’ll send an email with the status of your application on either April 1, August 1 or December 1.

Apply here

Students develop 21st century skills through curriculum activities

A group of students making notes togetherA student contemplating an ideaThree presenters with microphones, the one in center is speakingA student giving a talkTwo students discussing an idea
Identify the elements of a great idea
Think critically about the ideas they’re exposed to online and in real life
Research, develop, and craft their ideas into compelling, spoken narratives
Gain confidence to share ideas with their peers and community
Give and receive meaningful feedback on each other’s ideas
Apply here

Students share developed ideas with their communities and the world

Hear a variety of student voices from around the world and learn the ways you can celebrate your own students on and off the TED stage by becoming a TED-Ed Student Talks leader.

06:24

Perfectionism: the mentor I've outgrown

TED-Ed Student Talks

13,737 views

09:47

What role do labels play in your life?

TED-Ed Student Talks

5,201 views

07:44

The ugly history of residential schools

TED-Ed Student Talks

7,382 views

08:35

From war to peace: a student's journey

TED-Ed Student Talks

1,954 views

12:02

ADHD: finding what works for me

TED-Ed Student Talks

205,657 views

05:50

What trying to help my friend taught me about mental health

TED-Ed Student Talks

9,472 views

07:21

Water is precious. Land is precious. My people are precious.

TED-Ed Student Talks

4,966 views

08:19

One way to create a more inclusive school

TED-Ed Student Talks

14,402 views

10:53

Cleaning our oceans: a big plan for a big problem

TED-Ed Student Talks

47,613 views

12:55

Telling my whole story: when many cultures make one voice

TED-Ed Student Talks

7,792 views

Frequently asked questions

Students work together to discuss and celebrate creative ideas. Use TED-Ed’s flexible public speaking curriculum as a guide and inspire tomorrow’s TED speakers and leaders with their own Idea Journals. Want to learn more? Dive into the details by downloading this information packet.