Another bright spring has arrived. As promised, the annual TEDxSCIE Conference returned once again. Before the last glow of sunset faded, the Halo Theater was already filled with lively anticipation. As the spotlight came on, host Sam announced this year’s theme: Reimagined.
If life has no standard answers, who would you become?
If success has more than one form, would you still choose the same path?
With the passionate performance of Sparkling Dance Club and the elegant melodies of Chamber Music Club, an evening of ideas and inspiration officially began.
This year, TEDxSCIE was honored to welcome eight speakers from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their own unique stories and perspectives.
When Jack first stepped into a favela in Rio de Janeiro with his camera, he suddenly realized he was not simply recording reality — he was subconsciously searching for images that matched his imagination of poverty. This moment led him to reflect on how news, stories, and culture quietly shape the way we see the world. Through photography and critical thinking, Jack invites us to rethink “reality” and “the other,” encouraging us to put aside labels and rediscover the world with curiosity and understanding.
At SCIE, Dr. Scott Edwards is far more than a physics teacher. He demonstrates wave propagation with musical instruments, discusses poetry and philosophy beyond equations, and after more than a decade in China, has earned the affectionate nickname “the modern Li Bai” from his students. As AI rapidly enters the classroom, he asks a deeper question: when knowledge can be delivered instantly by technology, is the genuine human connection between teacher and student the most irreplaceable value of education?
Sophia’s reflection began with a childhood belief: “girls should wear skirts.” Over time, she realized that clothing is never just clothing — it is a social label shaped by culture and history. Through exploring different traditions and societies, she discovered that gendered fashion is largely a social construct. Sophia hopes to redefine fashion as a language of self-expression rather than a framework that limits identity, allowing individuals to freely express who they truly are.
As a young urban explorer, Michelle measures cities with her footsteps and documents life through words and images. From Shenzhen’s urban villages to Bangkok’s floating communities and Paris’s multicultural neighborhoods, she continuously challenges stereotypes about “marginal spaces.” In her eyes, urban villages are not empty zones waiting to be rebuilt, but living museums carrying the memory and warmth of cities. Through empathy and observation, she encourages us to rethink the relationship between people and the places they inhabit.
Tennis player Anthony once struggled within a competitive culture that demanded winning at all costs. Fear of failure and obsession with results trapped him in constant self-doubt. Only when he redefined success did he find freedom: a true champion is not someone who always wins, but someone who focuses on the present moment and continues to step onto the court despite fear. Through his journey, Anthony reminds us that life is not a ranking list, but a process of continuous self-discovery and growth.
From SCIE to UCL and later to Microsoft Venture Capital M12, Grace once followed what seemed to be a typical path of success. Yet along the way, she kept questioning what success truly meant. Her cross-disciplinary experiences in technology investment, AI due diligence, law, and international business led her to a new understanding: success is not defined by titles or industries, but by the ability to solve real-world problems and the courage to explore the unknown. She hopes to inspire young people to move beyond standard answers and define their own paths.
From the perspective of economics, Mr. Zhang has long been exploring the relationship between education and social structure. In an era reshaped by AI and the internet, he returns to a fundamental question: when knowledge is no longer scarce, what is the true meaning of school and learning? By tracing the historical and social functions of education, he invites us to rethink its role and value in the technological age.
Having lost his sight at just three months old, Mr. Wangdui once struggled with deep insecurity. It was only after entering a school for the visually impaired that he found belonging through community and rebuilt his understanding of the world through Braille. Step by step, he expanded his horizons — publishing books, delivering speeches, and founding a blind experience center to promote awareness and inclusion. In his story, blindness is not a defect but a different way of defining the world, and true respect comes not from sympathy, but from resilience, independence, and the courage to shape one’s own life.
Some stories were quietly told, others filled the theater with laughter and insight. Time passed almost unnoticed, and before anyone realized it, the evening had reached its closing moments.
What remained in the theater was not only applause, but reflection.
When “Reimagined” becomes more than just a word — when it turns into real stories, real lives, and real voices — abstract ideas begin to carry weight. After hearing these stories, how will we look at ourselves and the world differently? After witnessing so many possibilities of life, what choices will we make next?
On the message board, students shared their own “Reimagining”:
● A failed exam is not the end of the future, but a chance to rediscover strengths and weaknesses.
● Plans may change, but unexpected surprises can be meaningful in their own way.
These messages were more than simple encouragement — they were traces of genuine transformation in thought.
The success of this year’s conference also brought many reflections from the speakers, organizers, and team members behind TEDxSCIE.
Grace | Speaker
“I will always appreciate people who join the journey of reimagining, because at this point, we have the chance of thinking about changing the world. Changing the world is not easy, because you need to think clearly and completely, and most importantly, be responsible…”
Rachel | TEDxSCIE President
“When the curtain fell, I did not feel the emotional wave I had imagined — only a sense of relief.
Perhaps only the organizers truly understand that behind a two-hour conference stands five months of preparation by 25 people. This year’s conference was also a reimagining for me.
Before the opening, I was anxious. The audience was only half the size of last year’s, and the theater felt sparse. The tension was real. But gradually, I realized something.
Maybe the people who stayed were the answer itself. Maybe they came not for names, but for ideas. Maybe they cared more about content than popularity. Maybe this was closer to what TED truly represents — people sitting down because they want to think, not because of fame.
And at that moment, I felt that this year’s TEDx was closer to its original spirit. TED has always talked about ‘ideas worth spreading.’ Perhaps it is not about grand themes, but about giving ordinary people a stage where sincere voices can be heard.”
Carolyn | GC Prefect
“Working backstage at TEDx for two consecutive years made me realize that this stage itself is a response to reimagine.
Last year, I was learning everything from scratch — how to promote, how to communicate with speakers, and how to manage unexpected situations. I remember one time when the slide clicker broke, and I had to watch the speaker’s gestures throughout the entire talk to change slides manually. Through these experiences, I learned how a large event gradually comes together.
This year, everything felt smoother. I began to think about why TEDx is worth so much effort. I realized it creates a space where people can sincerely express themselves, and others are willing to truly listen. What makes TEDx valuable is not just the speeches, but the seriousness of expression and listening itself.”
Anny | TEDxSCIE Member
“I joined TEDx at first to make my campus life more colorful. But through every activity, I discovered the true charm of speaking — giving warmth to language and strength to expression.
The preparation was far more challenging than I expected: interviewing speakers for the first time, writing formal emails, working backstage… It was difficult, but I broke through many ‘first-time’ barriers and gained valuable experiences and friendships.
TEDx has become the best club I have ever joined. I hope to be part of it every year in the future.
The old order changeth, yielding place to new.
Thank you to everyone who stayed.
Thank you to the 25 team members for five months of dedication.
TEDxSCIE looks forward to meeting you again next spring.
- Article / Dorothy Peng
- Photos / David Hu, Admissions
