ICOY Sparks
Short talks. Big ideas. Real questions.
Each speaker has up to twelve minutes to share one idea worth hearing: a piece of research, a project, a lesson learned the hard way. Then the audience gets to question it.
What it is
An ICOY Sparks event brings together four to eight speakers for an afternoon or evening of short, prepared talks. Each talk is built around a single idea and explained so that anyone in the room can follow it. Speakers can be students, teachers, researchers, artists, founders, public servants: anyone with something real to share.
Unlike a lecture series or a talk that ends in applause, every Spark is followed by questions. The audience tests the idea, the speaker answers, and the conversation carries into the breaks. Talks are recorded and, once reviewed, published on the ICOY YouTube channel, so a good idea from a school hall can reach people around the world.
Why it matters
Sparks give young speakers a real stage and a real audience, often for the first time, alongside people with years of experience. Preparing a twelve-minute talk teaches clarity; answering questions teaches honesty. Audiences leave with several new ideas and the names of people worth following up with.
How an ICOY Sparks event runs
A typical running order. Adapt the timings to your event; keep the shape.
- 10 min
Opening
The host welcomes everyone, introduces ICOY and the event, and explains how questions will work.
- 45 to 60 min
First block of talks
Three or four talks, each followed by a few questions from the audience.
- 15 to 20 min
Break
Time for attendees to meet the speakers and each other.
- 45 to 60 min
Second block of talks
Three or four more talks with questions.
- 10 min
Closing
The host draws together the ideas of the day and thanks speakers, team and partners. Share the feedback link.
What it covers
A Spark is about one idea, not a whole field. The best talks share something the speaker knows first-hand: research they did, something they built, a problem they solved or failed to solve. Events can have a theme, such as "Repair", "Small cities, big futures" or "What school did not teach me", or simply bring together the most interesting people in your community.
Example talks
- A student explains what her science fair project found about water quality in local lakes
- A teacher on what happened when his class stopped giving marks for a term
- A young founder on the mistake that nearly closed her social enterprise (no promotion)
- A doctor on one misunderstanding about mental health she sees every week
- An artist on keeping a family craft alive in a changing market
- A researcher on one finding from a study of how young people use public transport
Who does what
Host
Introduces each speaker, keeps time, and runs the questions fairly.
Speakers
Prepare and rehearse one talk each. They are not paid, and they may not promote their own products, books or courses.
Speaker coach
Helps each speaker shape their idea and runs at least two rehearsals.
Stage and recording team
Sound, screen, slides and video. Record each talk separately so it can be published on its own.
What makes a great Sparks event
Do
- One clear idea per talk, stated in the first minute
- At least two rehearsals for every speaker
- Strict timing, with a visible clock
- Speakers from different backgrounds and ages
- Few slides with large images and few words
Avoid
- Sales pitches or talks that promote a business
- Reading a script word for word
- Talks that run past twelve minutes
- Sponsors speaking or choosing speakers (not allowed)
- Political campaigning or religious preaching
Who hosts it
Schools and colleges showcasing student and teacher work, university societies, innovation and entrepreneurship cells, and community groups who want to celebrate local people with ideas worth sharing.
Any of the three licence types can host an ICOY Sparks event. Licences are free and each covers one event, named after the programme and your community, for example ICOY Sparks@YourSchool. Every event must follow the ICOY Regionals guidelines, including the speaker, sponsorship and content rules.
After the event
Send the feedback link and write the summary within 7 days. Submit each speaker's talk separately from your dashboard so ICOY can publish it on YouTube. Download speaker certificates, which carry your signature and the Director-General's, and certificates for your team and attendees.
Upcoming ICOY Sparks events
All Sparks events →The other programmes
Host an ICOY Sparks event
Licences are free. Read the guidelines, choose your community name, and apply.