Prince William County Public Schools
PWCS students find their voice through TED-Ed talks
Two Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School students are sharing their ideas with a worldwide audience after their original TED-Ed Student Talks were selected for publication on the official TED-Ed Student Talks YouTube channel.
Rising seniors Madelyn Choi and Madeline Long delivered their presentations during Colgan High’s TED-Ed Student Talks event during the 2025-26 school year. Their presentations were later selected for publication on the official TED-Ed Student Talks YouTube channel, which reaches more than 126,000 subscribers around the world.
The achievement marks a milestone for Colgan's Academic Research Club, the only active TED-Ed Student Talks club in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).
For Choi, participating in the club was an opportunity to move from being inspired by TED Talks to becoming a speaker herself.
"After spending years watching TED Talks in classes and seeing how powerful they could be, the idea of becoming a speaker myself was exciting," Choi said. "I was also drawn to the chance to strengthen my public speaking and research skills while being part of a program that encourages students to share ideas that can make a meaningful impact on their school and community."
Choi’s talk, "The Power of Quiet Leadership," challenges the assumption that effective leaders must be the loudest voices in the room. Drawing from her own experiences, Choi explores how introverted students can lead through listening, empathy, and thoughtful actions.
"I wanted to share that message with others who may see themselves as quiet or introverted and help them recognize that their voices, perspectives, and leadership styles are just as valuable," she said.
Long's presentation explores the nature of competition, challenging viewers to reconsider competitiveness as a positive force rather than a source of anxiety.
"As a high schooler with college coming up and someone in marching band, I was familiar with the hostility and pressure of competition and wanted to make light of the situation," Long said. "I hope highly competitive people like me will see my talk and feel less insecure about themselves and their abilities."
The Academic Research Club is sponsored by Shana Sabourin, Colgan's instructional technology coach, who founded the program after obtaining PWCS approval and official TED-Ed Student Talks licensing. The club guides students through identifying topics they are passionate about, conducting research, developing compelling narratives, and presenting their ideas to a live audience.
"Sharing our stories and perspectives helps connect us," Sabourin said. "Encouraging our students to enter into the conversation about their passions rather than sitting on the sideline reinforces the idea that the most powerful tool for change that we have at our disposal is our voice."
Unlike a traditional classroom assignment, students participate in a collaborative environment focused on growth rather than grades.
"Feedback is crucial," Sabourin said. "Students learn how to give and receive feedback that is constructive and specific."
Since launching the program, Colgan has hosted two TED-Ed Student Talks events, one in November 2025 and another in April 2026. In addition to strengthening students' research, writing, and public speaking skills, the club also emphasizes digital citizenship by teaching participants to evaluate sources, avoid misinformation, properly credit research, and understand the lasting impact of their digital footprint.
For Choi, the experience represents more than personal achievement.
"I believe it is incredibly important to elevate student voices because students offer unique perspectives, ideas, and solutions that deserve to be heard," she said. "Platforms like TED-Ed Student Talks give young people the opportunity to share those ideas and realize that their voices can have a real impact."
Sabourin hopes more schools throughout PWCS will consider launching their own TED-Ed clubs.
"It's a lot of work," she said. "But helping students understand how their voice matters and creating a safe space where they feel supported in sharing their opinions and beliefs while encouraging respectful discourse is something that's definitely needed."
The official TED-Ed Student Talks program is available to schools worldwide, and Sabourin said any interested PWCS educator can apply to start a club.
Choi's “The Power of Quiet Leadership,” and Long's “The Nature of Competition,”
are available on the official TED-Ed Student Talks YouTube channel, where they continue to reach viewers around the world.
See Madelyn Choi’s TED-Ed speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iaks_IgDMAw
See Madeline Long’s TED-Ed speech: