Ted Talks for Educators

I listen to TED talks as I walk and as I do dishes. Time and again, I  come across ones that I think might be inspiring or useful for educators. So I’m starting this post and updating as I come across ones that hit a chord. Here goes!

Caitria and Morgan O’Neill: How to step up in the face of disaster

This talk is by two young American women who took charge and helped organize recovery efforts after a tornado. It’s about taking charge, stepping up, and finding better ways to do things.

Suitable for probably 4th grade up although I think it would hit middle schoolers and high schoolers best.

Studying weather? Natural disasters? Planning Mapping? Graphing? Variables? I an imagine lots of great math and computer projects in schools as an outgrowth of watching this video. It would be a good kickstart for a Dan Meyer kind of math exploration.

 Sheila Patek clocks the fastest animals

This is a straightforward yet cool science talk by a woman who studies mantis shrimps. There’s something so engaging about her gentle humor. She just loves what she does—science! Science students should see these kinds of talks…just feel how drilling down deeply into a subject can be engaging during a lifetime of study.

Suitable for: 5th grade and up. Middle School, High School

Purpose: fire up kids about science, let kids see models of adults who love intellectual inquiry and experimentation. Study muscles, the scientific method.

Here’s an article listing ten great ted talks about animals.I have not reviewed these.  But if you’re searching for science ted talks, this might be a good start. http://www.bestuniversities.com/blog/2010/20-unbelievable-ted-talks-about-animals/