Be the source: Ann Makosinski at TEDxRenfrewCollingwood

Ann Makosinski, 15, winner of her age group at the 2013 Google Science Fair, talks about the design and the inspiration for making a flashlight that runs solely on the heat of the human hand. Her journey which starts with her roots in the Phillipines, continues with the hope of providing light to people around the world who are still without it.

Since early childhood, 15 year old Ann has taken an interest in science, and inventing for the benefit of the environment. Her first toys were, a box of transistors, a hard drive, and a Lego set. Since grade 6, she has been a winner at the Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair, and for the past two years a medalist at the Canada Wide Science Fair. In 2013, she had the honor of being one of the 15 finalists participating in the world-wide Google Science Fair where she won in her age category. For her project, "The Hollow Flashlight," Ann constructed a flashlight that runs solely on the heat of the human hand. Ann is working on making her flashlight available to those in third-world countries who still do not have access to electricity, and for inclusion in emergency and disaster kits. Her long-term dream is to eliminate the use of non-recyclable batteries for low-power personal electronics. Ann also enjoys playing the piano and violin, acting, editing films, and reading the classics.

via www.tedxrenfrewcollingwood.com

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)