Kenny Bae

Christian, Educator/Teacher, Engineer, Entrepreneur, Environmentalist, Event planner, Inventor, Parent, Scientist, Startup, Technologist

Kenny Bae challenges his students to “leave as a better person” every day, transforming STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education with innovative, purpose-driven learning experiences. With a proven track record of launching transformative STEAM programs in both start-up and independent school settings, Kenny is deeply committed to connecting emerging technologies with real-world impact. His leadership has guided schools to national distinction — first at Wolcott School, which earned the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Award in 2018, and most recently at The Avery Coonley School, which received the same prestigious honor in 2025 for its outstanding sustainability practices and student innovation. That same year, Kenny was recognized with the Avery Coonley LifeChanger Award (2025) for his dedication to empowering students and shaping a culture of creativity, integrity, and innovation. Over the past two years alone, his students have earned five national awards for sustainable and innovative projects, spanning environmental design to engineering for social good. Under his mentorship, Avery Coonley students have presented on the TEDx stage and at the FIRST Robotics World Championship, inspiring peers and professionals alike with their vision for a greener, smarter future. Kenny’s gift lies in bridging bold ideas with actionable impact — connecting students, educators, and communities to opportunities that redefine learning. He has been honored by Project Green Schools with their Lifetime Achievement Award (2022) and recognized publicly by figures such as Jay Leno for his leadership and commitment to student innovation. A sought-after collaborator and changemaker, Kenny continues to set a new standard for what STEAM education can look like in the 21st century — empowering students not only to imagine the future, but to actively build it. “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” – Leonardo da Vinci

I’m passionate about empowering students to see their potential through the lens of their gifted abilities and learning differences. I had the privilege of founding and coaching a robotics team for students with learning differences, where for the past nine years we’ve been invited to present at the FIRST World Championship Robotics Conference. There, we shared our students’ success stories and advocated for inclusive STEAM education in robotics and technology. Witnessing students turn what were once perceived as weaknesses into their greatest strengths continues to inspire me every day. My work with students has been recognized by Forbes Magazine, the Chicago Sun-Times, WGN, CBS, FIRST, Star Wars (including Daisy Ridley), TEDx, Amazon Future Engineer, the U.S. Department of Education, the Illinois State Board of Education, the National Science Foundation, and more.

An idea worth sharing at a TEDx event could be an innovative concept or perspective that has the potential to inspire and positively impact individuals and communities. It should be a thought-provoking idea or solution that addresses a relevant issue or challenge in a unique and compelling way, offering insights, knowledge, or a call to action that can spark change, foster understanding, or promote personal growth. The key is that it should have the power to engage and resonate with a diverse audience, leaving them with a deeper understanding or a newfound motivation to make a difference in their lives or the world around them.

I have been selected as a TED women scholar by the Skoll Foundation in 2021. TEDWomen is a conference about the power of women to be creators and change-makers. We all know that when it comes to global gender equity, there's still so much work to be done. After all, the playing field is far from level — and the past few years have seen so many women forced to step back or out altogether. It's time to reset, to rethink, to collectively imagine different ways forward. As such, this year's TEDWomen conference will joyfully celebrate those taking bold strides into the future, those working unapologetically to make big dreams become reality. Whether working directly on new models of equity and inclusion or blazing trails as pioneers within their own professions, this year's speakers demonstrate luminous new thinking and ideas designed to enchant, uplift and inspire us all.

Rapping numbers at a hot dog restaurant.