Join live interactive sessions facilitated by world-class coaches to learn about mindsets, mental models, and real-world skills surrounded by a cohort of like-minded students.
Kickoff
Kick off TKS with a bang, meet the other students in your cohort and start to build new friendships. Learn what to expect from the program, get excited, and experience your first taste of the TKS community.
Week 1
Unconventional Thinking
Understand how you can have asymmetric impact on the world and why unconventional thinking is a necessary ingredient on your journey. "In order to achieve unconventional success, you must take an unconventional path." - Nadeem Nathoo, TKS Founder
Week 2
Next Big Thing
Collaborate in teams to research and present what you think the next big thing will be and why it will shift humanity's trajectory. "The best way to predict the future, is to create it." - Peter Drucker
Week 3
Artificial Intelligence
Create applications using artificial intelligence, while exploring the implications of this technology on the future. Learn how companies like OpenAI and DeepMind are shaping the future of work, art, education, and business.
Week 4
Blockchain
Have you heard of Cryptocurrency, NFTs, or DAOs? These are all built on blockchains. Learn how to create your own decentralized app (dApp), crypto project, or NFT, while understanding how blockchain can be applied to solve real problems.
Week 5
Life & Success
Engage in deep philosophical discussions about life. Critically analyze and discuss what success means to you versus what society defines it as, and how you can create your own path to success.
Week 6
Human Longevity
Scientific advancements are increasing human longevity in areas including cellular senescence, telomeres, regenerative medicine, immunology, and gene editing. Learn about these new areas while discussing the ethical implications of increasing lifespan.
Week 7
Explore Hackathon
Design solutions to important problems using the emerging technologies and sciences that you've been exposed to, and present your ideas to a panel of expert judges with background in areas like AI, synthetic biology and more.
Week 8
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Brainstorm new uses for BCIs that will shape our lifestyle in the coming decades. Companies like Neuralink, Kerel, and Neurable are bridging the gap between human brains and machines to solve neurological disorders and control prosthetic body parts.
Week 9
Real-World Challenge (1/3)
The best way to learn how to solve real-world problems is by working with a company on a challenge they're facing. In this session you'll choose between multiple challenges based on your interests and start researching a solution.
Week 10
Real-World Challenge (2/3)
Learn about mental models and problem-solving frameworks like First Principles Thinking and MECE Analysis to develop viable solutions that the company you're working with can implement. In the real world, there's no answers at the back of the textbook.
Week 11
Real-World Challenge (3/3)
Review your final recommendations and submit your proposal to the company. in the session, you'll do a post-mortem to reflect on your learnings from the challenge, transferrable skills you learned, and obstacles you faced.
Week 12
Global Community
In this highly engaging and fun session you'll meet like-minded TKS students from around the world. You'll also get a chance to learn more about the other TKS directors, their backgrounds, expertise, and personalities.
Week 13
Genetic Engineering
The new gene editing technology, CRISPR, has pushed the boundaries for scientific research and our ability to cure deadly diseases. Learn how we can apply gene editing and sequencing to cure cancer, malaria, and solve birth defects in babies before they're born.
Week 14
Quantum Computing
Discover the next wave of computing that is being powered by Quantum Computers, which use qubits and quantum gates to solve highly complex problems with large data sets that supercomputers are not able to solve.
Week 15
Metaverse
Virtual and augmented reality are creating new worlds for people to live in. In this session, collaborate with each other to brainstorm new opportunities that can exist in the Metaverse and design solutions to make it happen.
Week 16
Focus Hackathon
Work in teams to design solutions to some of the world’s most important problems using the intersection of multiple Focus areas - your chosen area of interest! Present your solutions to experts and get feedback on your ideas.
Week 17
Mental Models
To prepare for the Global Challenge, go deeper into mental models and apply them to problems like solving world hunger. This session provides you with a better understanding of advanced problem-solving frameworks.
Week 18
Harvard Business Case
Experience what it’s like going to Harvard Business School (HBS) by working on a Harvard Case. You’ll train advanced analytical skills and learn about how to solve business problems.
Week 19
Global Challenge (1/3)
You’ll work in teams to tackle global challenges, perform experiential research, and create a in-depth recommendations. Previously, students have worked with organizations like the United Nations, Airbnb, and Microsoft for the Global Challenge.
Week 20
Global Challenge (2/3)
Understanding problems is critical to solving them. You will learn how to deeply understand your challenge problem by doing stakeholder interviews and breaking down how to ask good questions to uncover valuable data.
Week 21
Global Challenge (3/3)
Learn how to give high quality feedback, then in groups provide feedback to other students on their recommendations. You will leave with clarity, action items to improve your recommendations, and goals you want to hit.
Week 22
Global Community
Reconnect with the TKS global community in this highly engaging and fun session. Engage with others from around the world in a collaborative post-mortem to reflect on learnings, struggles, best practices, and learnings from failures.
Week 23
World's Biggest Problems
Learn how you can impact billions by understanding the root causes behind some of the world's biggest problems, and using a root cause analysis framework to brainstorm potential approaches to solve them.
Week 24
World Hunger
Identify potential solutions to reduce world hunger using the WBP framework, which includes identifying root causes and weaknesses of the existing solutions to come up with a viable hypothesis.
Week 25
Moonshot Projects (1/4)
Get introduced to Moonshot thinking and how Google created a division, The Moonshot Factory, to build Moonshot Projects. Learn how to "Think 10x" to solve problems using emerging technologies in ways that haven't been done before.
Week 26
Moonshot Projects (2/4)
Analyze frameworks that innovative companies use to create disruptive technologies, including learning how to prioritize right problems, embracing failure, killing projects early, and iterating. Work on your projects in teams.
Week 27
Moonshot Projects (3/4)
This session is focused on developing a deep technical understanding of your Moonshot project. Identify the technical gap, find experts to connect with who can help you, and bridge the gap to transform your idea into a feasible solution.
Week 28
Moonshot Projects (4/4)
Work on your Moonshots in teams. In this session, you'll also learn how important company culture is from organizations like Google and SpaceX, and how culture is foundational to creating transformative innovation.
Week 29
Moonshot Presentations
Present your Moonshots to a panel of judges from some of the world's most innovative and disruptive companies. The judges will ask hard questions and give you feedback/advice if you plan on pursuing your idea.
Week 30
TKS Showcase
Showcase your projects and growth during the year-end TKS Showcase. Network with guests, which will include venture capital investors, CEOs, startup founders, executives, and TKS alumni.
Week 31
Self-Awareness
Reflect on the exponential growth you've experienced during TKS, and how that will enable you to accelerate your trajectory. You'll be asked deep questions that will make you reflect and have important insights.
Week 32
Global Alumni Event
Join the global TKS alumni community as an official alumni. Spark new friendships and networks with hundreds of other TKS alumni from around the world who are building companies, working at leading research labs, and attending top-tier universities.
Week 33
Summer Internships
Many students secure summer internships at companies. Apply the skills, knowledge, and mindsets you learned during TKS to the real-world and experience how innovative companies and startups operate.
Summer
Activate (Year 2)
The second year of TKS is heavily focused on global problems and applying the knowledge learned during the first year of TKS. Students must apply again and be accepted to join Activate.
Year 2
Session Schedule
See Program Schedule
Wondering what the full 10 months will look like? Check out the schedule below to see what topic and mindset you could be learning each week.
02
Real-World Challenges
Work on real-world challenges during the program and get exposure to top organizations and executives from Google, Meta, Microsoft, The World Economic Forum, and The United Nations.
03
Personalized Coaching
The TKS team is built from full-time dedicated coaches who bring differentiated backgrounds and perspectives. Get personalized coaching and support from top mentors and industry experts globally. We’ll work with you to set goals and develop a plan that’s unique to you and your journey.
Brandon Jennings
Head of Program
SpaceX, MIT & McKinsey
Steven Ritchie
Calgary Director
Strategy & Product Management
Raha Francis
Virtual Director
Harvard Law & BCG
Damian Matheson
Virtual Director
Entrepreneur & Edtech
Lyn Chen
Toronto Associate Director
Forbes 30 Under 30 & 2x Founder
Andres Velarde
Virtual Director
Engineering Design, MIT
Shea Tough
Virtual Associate Director
Co-Founder, Forest City Synbio
Hari Mahesh
New York Director
Healthcare Technology, J&J
Jessica Klein
Virtual Director
Synthesis, Briteweb & Founder
Aatik Chopra
Virtual Director
Deloitte & Synthesis
Pranav Menon
Vancouver Director
Engineer & Startup Enthusiast
Skylor Lane
Toronto Director
Entrepreneur, Fintech & VC
Max Newlon
Activate Director
Harvard & President, BrainCo
Mikaela Ergas Lenett
Activate Associate Director
Data Science, Kode With Klossy
04
Global Mentor Network
Access the world's largest mentor network for teens. Connect with mentors from the world’s leading organizations like Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft.
Solon Angel
Manolis Kellis
Sarah Gilpin
Oriol Vinyals
Liran Belenzon
Adam Molnar
Natasha Walji
Samira Khan
Jay Goldman
Stea Nanushi
Mark Smith
Rey Mastrapa
Darien Schettler
Alana Podrx
Ali Amin
Abhishek Somani
Afraj Gill
Neeraj Sonalkar
Marga Heras
Taraneh Khazaei
Aleksandr Stabenow
Akriti Kedia
Ahmed Adel
Afzal Suleman
Alex Shee
Alex Springer
Ali Yousefi
Alex Trott
Alyf Janmohamed
Aly Dhalla
Amber Foucault
Andy Anthony
Andres Forsland
Andy Yang
Anjeli Doty
Anna Baird
Audrey Scholz
Atlee Clark
Ben Walters
Bert Moons
Bhavya Shah
Bianca Boyd
Bruno Rousseau
Carol Mazzoni
Charles Lu
Chris Stefanyk
Christal Wang
Cyril Ebersweiler
Danish Dhamani
Daniel Weisman
Davide Valeriani
Doug van Spronsen
Denis Villeneuve
Ehsan Amjadian
Elizabeth Caley
Emilie Camera
Ethan Siegel
Emily Zhao
Farid Haque
Eva Esteban
Gautam Talagery
Garrett Flynn
Guoming Wang
Hieu Hoang
Ignacio Rozada
Javad Shafiee
Jamil Dewsi
Jay Luthar MD
John Wang
Jose Zea
Jonathan Jiang
Josef Scarantino
Joseph Cafazzo
Julia Kassam
Julie Hansen
Kai Hudek
Karina Popovich
Kashmera Self
Kevin Kung
Kirstie Thompson
Kevin Northrup
Kory Gorsky
Latif Nanji
Lee Bowman
Lina Ismail
Lindsay Murphy
Louis-David Mangin
Luis Serrano
Luke Morrison
Manoj Thacker
Maria V. Ruiz-Blondet
Mario Mitchell
Matt McKenna
Matt O'Leary
Mark Swihart
Marty Kratky-Katz
Matt Thomas
Matthew Lee
Matthew Reyes
Maziar Refahi
05
Internship Opportunities
Unlock opportunities to gain internships at the most innovative companies and research labs in the world. TKS students are amongst the youngest employees at Google, Apple, Microsoft, NASA, SpaceX, OpenAI, Tesla, and Neuralink.
Allison Dana
Valkyrie Holmes
Arnav Shah
Ananya Chadha
Kristina Arezina
Davide Radaelli
Stephanie Porfiris
Matt Stokes
Yelim Kim
Ciara Sejour
Ayaan Esmail
Sheryl Li
Neha Shukla
Ayleen Farnood
Guido Putignano
Jack Ceroni
Brianna Gopaul
Jerry Qu
Shagun Maheshwari
Ramy Zhang
Tommy Moffat
Ryan Chan
Elena Mishina
Fatima Khawaja
Heya Desai
Swarit Dholakia
Satvik Agnihotri
06
TKS.Life Platform
Gain lifetime access to up-to-date resources about emerging tech and science and a social platform to connect with like-minded teens around the world.
Platform Features
Through TKS.Life you'll also gain access to,
Explore Modules: Learn about 40+ emerging technologies and sciences at your own pace
Playbooks & Resources: Access playbooks on over 30 topics like networking, productivity hacks, mental wellness, and more
Braindates: Connect with TKS students and alumni around the world to develop friendships, learn from each other, and grow together
Activity Feed: Share your work and see what projects other TKS students are working on in real-time
Events: See upcoming events, including guest speakers, workshops, TKS meetups, and more
Map: Connect with the TKS community wherever you go by searching for students and alumni in your area
TKS Network
Build life long friendships.
Our community is filled with curious, ambitious, and impact-driven people. Meet your future best friends and co-founders, while having fun and accelerating your personal growth.
SpaceX engineer and founder of Ember Bazaar.
"TKS has helped me realize that I'm meant to build and that I will continue to build and help others in spaces like climate tech and space tech! It helped me build an engineering portfolio and get amazing internships and opportunities."
Valkyrie Holmes
|
TKS 2019
Utopia Labs raises $23M led by Paradigm Capital.
"Through the mentors and friends I met during TKS, I learned mental models that deeply impacted me and shaped who I am today. TKS helped me be unafraid of tackling ambitious problems and pursue a more unconventional path.”
Alexander Wu
|
TKS 2017
Blockchain powered hedge fund at Numerai.
"TKS gave me a community of inspiring peers, helped me create projects that got me internships at AI research labs and startups while in high school, and made me feel ready to work full-time at a startup in Silicon Valley without university."
Liam Hinzman
|
TKS 2018
Full-ride Morehead-Cain scholarship to UNC pursuing biotech.
“TKS sparked my interest in building real-world change. I’ve worked with scientists in the cultured meat industry, built a maternal public health program in Nigeria, and created a women’s health product (Boob Blurb)."
Isabella Grandic
|
TKS 2018
Early cancer detection using genomics at Stanford.
"TKS propelled me into an environment of like-minded individuals where I built projects in cancer research, formed life-long connections, and built mindsets towards innovative success. The people I met in TKS remain my closest friends."
Kevin Zhu
|
TKS 2019
Managing Director at Nucleate, global biotech leader.
"I got my first exposure to CRISPR-Cas9 and the scientific method during TKS, and I find myself relying on those lessons to this day as I help develop and deploy the next generation of genetic engineering tools here at MIT."
Michael Trinh
|
TKS 2018
Founder, Axiome: biosensors for molecular diagnostics.
"Through TKS, I was strongly encouraged to pursue my curiosities in areas that normally require a deep technical background, and was exposed to frameworks that have been immensely valuable as I've been building my company."
Samarth Athreya
|
TKS 2017
Battery innovation with material science and machine learning.
"I met people at TKS who really get me and enable me to be my most authentic self while pushing for my growth. TKS helped me unlock opportunities, internships, and network connections that were life-changing."
Shagun Maheshwari
|
TKS 2017
Founding engineer at Thirdweb valued at $160M.
"TKS was the catalyst for me to rapidly progress toward my goals. It showed me that I didn't need to wait to start building valuable technical skills, start companies, and carve my own path. Without it, my life would look very different."
Adam Majmudar
|
TKS 2019
Co-founder of human longevity startup, Biotein.
"TKS gave me a new frame of reference for what I could accomplish. I trained tangible mental models like breaking down major issues into their root causes. I wouldn't have been able to cofound a biotech startup without this experience."
Anupra Chandran
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TKS 2017
AI startup Tecton raises $100M from a16z and Sequoia.
"I started TKS in 2016 and it was the place where I learned about artificial intelligence and data. I met my mentor Mike during TKS, who later hired me to work at Tecton as an early product manager building advanced AI tools."
Jay Parthasarthy
|
TKS 2016
Brain-Computer Interfaces at Neuralink and Stanford.
"TKS pushed me to build, learn, and invent, alongside the most supportive group of friends I've ever met. During the program I built my first Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) project, and projects in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and gene editing. TKS changed my trajectory."
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