Forty hours of work presented to an audience in just three minutes.
Welcome to the 180EE – the premier public speaking competition on the QAHS calendar and pinnacle celebration of our students as researchers and communicators. The 180EE is QAHS' bespoke challenge, based on the University of Queensland's Three Minute Thesis. With a single slide and no prompts; props; or costumes, students inspire the audience with their innovative and captivating research.
On Friday 8 October, nine nervous, yet ambitious students took to the Lecture Theatre stage in order to engage their adjudicators and audience to take the title of 180EE winner. QAHS was privileged to have the judging expertise of QAHS Principal Mrs Rebgetz, in addition to Smithsonian Fellow Dr Kathy Mackey and International Toastmaster Mr Mark Hunter.
Students were adjudicated on their ability to present their research with clarity; competence and confidence, while being concise and considered. The range of research presented offered a fascinating insight into the natural sciences; human sciences; and the arts, including:
The cognitive benefits of bilingualism;
The musical technique of Jacob Collier;
Camouflaging in ASD;
Computer chip manufacturer wars;
Acculturation of immigrants to Australia;
Characterisation of Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network;
The female ASD phenotype; and
The psychological challenges of reducing microplastic use.
It was the dissemination of research into acculturation by Annie Allsopp that was declared the winning presentation.
QAHS congratulates the following competitors who exemplified the IB Learner Profile in their risk taking, communication skills and principled approach to the 180 EE: Daria Chernova, Rohan Murray, Mandisa Hargraves, Bella Danaher, Kaden Dale, Harrison Hanley, Abi Schmidt, Samantha Heufel, Annie Allsopp (winner).
Kary Stratton
Extended Essay Coordinator, Teacher of Psychology and TOK