Tedx Talk scheduled at DHS on Thursday

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Jenna Coladarci

Social studies teacher T.J. Altieri has organized a year’s worth of Tedx Talks at DHS. The first one is tonight.

Jenna Coladarci, Correspondent

Ever since Tedx Talks launched in 2009, there have been close to 50,000 talks at 10,000 locations. And now, thanks to social studies teacher Thomas Altieri, Danbury High School will be added to that number.

The event will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, in the auditorium. Tickets were free, but are no longer available as Tedx only allows an audience of 100 people.

Altieri said the theme for this year’s talks is looking beyond the obvious so that a deeper comprehension of the world and our own lives is gained.

 “I chose this topic because you have to pick a loose theme and it is appealing because it applies to everyone,” he said. “Everyone has a moment in their life where they don’t think about what lies beneath the surface.”

According to the Tedx website, TEDx was created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading.” It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

The teacher, who also works at the Bridgeport Zoo, arranged to have five speakers throughout the year who all have a different perspective on this topic.

Jim Knox, a wildlife expert, will relate the theme to raising awareness and conservation for critically endangered wildlife.

Ashley Byun, a faculty member of Fairfield University’s Department of Biology, will relate the theme to her research on how in the first few minutes of a Loggerhead turtle’s life they are able to find their way from the natal shore to the open ocean.

Mary A. Poupon, and advanced psychiatric nurse, will relate the theme to children and adolescents.

Jill Castle, a national top childhood nutrition expert, will relate the theme to the way parents and healthcare professionals nurture children.

Brian Jones, an archaeologist for Connecticut State Museum Of Natural History at University of Connecticut, will relate the theme to archeology.

Altieri had to apply for a TedX license to run this event. The difference between a TedTalk and a Tedx Talk is that a Ted Talk is organized by the Ted organization and a Tedx Talk is run by someone in the community after they obtain a license.

“It was a very rigorous and tough process to get a license,” he said. “I had to submit numerous applications, create a speakers list, get it approved, find the venue, and get the necessary teacher support.”

The teachers who are supporting Altieri with the event include English teachers Gregory Euchner and Matthew Krichmar, and Justin Morgan and Sterling Miller of the Consumer & Technology Education department. The Danbury High School AV Club will also assist.

If you wish to see the event and don’t have tickets it will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVQCYGsFPHE  and it will also eventually be added to Ted.com under TEDx.

“Thanks to DHS for sponsoring and hosting this event,” Altieri adds.