A butterfly, with its fragile wings, is a powerful symbol of the butterfly effect—the idea that even the smallest action can set off a chain of events that leads to transformative change. For our 2025 TEDxPortsmouth theme, “What If?”, the butterfly represents the potential of a single idea—no matter how tiny or seemingly insignificant—to create ripples that change the world. Just as the gentle flap of a butterfly’s wings can trigger a series of events that alter distant futures, one thought, conversation, or action has the power to disrupt the status quo and spark lasting change. What if that one idea could change everything?
What If… students and educators could experience TEDxPortsmouth for FREE?
On Thursday, May 8, 2025 you can!
Seacoast area educators are invited to bring groups of engaged students in grades 8-12 to the first ever TEDxPortsmouth Students & Educators day at The Music Hall. Here you’ll get a unique, behind the scenes viewing of TEDxPortsmouth during our full dress rehearsal, the day before the main event.
In rehearsal, we run the show top to bottom, in order, from 12-6pm. You’ll learn how it all works through authentic moments when we pause to adjust lighting or tech or allow a speaker to gather their thoughts and hear feedback, while you watch the many stage professionals do their essential work to ensure a seamless event.
There’s plenty of room in The Music Hall for school groups, the speakers and performers benefit from practicing in front of a live crowd. Plus, Flatbread Company Portsmouth will be handing out coupons and Parker Mountain Comfort Wraps will share hand-made fidgets with attendees. It’s an all around win!
Groups that have attended our main event in the past have been led by Librarians, English teachers, National Honors Society groups, principals/heads of school, writing and stage production educators.
Register to attend TEDxPortsmouth Students & Educators Day at The Music Hall
Please respond by Friday April 18th
A unique educational opportunity
TED talks have become a valuable stream of supplementary learning in classrooms. They are even more powerful when all of the speakers live or work in our local communities and in most cases are willing and able to visit student classrooms. Many TEDxPortsmouth speakers have 10,000+, 100,000+, and even 1M+ youtube views of their truly big ideas worth sharing. Our talks are popular online, but our event is a ‘must-attend’ in the Seacoast. Our in-person event at The Music Hall sells out each year (900 seats!) And thousands log in to watch our talks live.
For years, we have provided free tickets to local schools to allow small groups of students and educators to attend our event. The challenge has been creating opportunities for more students to access the experience of TEDxPortsmouth, despite space and cost limitations. Both schools and TEDx have wished for more– and we are thrilled to bring this new opportunity to you!
Want to experience TEDx but can’t attend Students & Educators Day?
View the free TEDx main event livestream (9am-3pm on Friday May 9th) from your classroom, little theater or auditorium. We can share the speaker schedule with participating teachers days in advance to pinpoint the timing of talks that you feel would be most engaging for their students– we shout out to participating schools and classrooms from the stage when possible!
Learn more about our non-profit organizations at TEDxPortsmouth.com & TheMusicHall.org
Questions?
Contact TEDxPortsmouth Director, Kaarin Milne: kaarin.om@gmail.com; 603-817-3345
We hope to see you on May 8th!
~the TEDxPortsmouth & The Music Hall teams