On Monday 21 July, the QAHS community gathered to celebrate our signature Extended Essay public speaking even - the 180EE. More than just a competition, the 180EE is a prestigious showcase of our students' capacity to inquire deeply, think critically, and communicate effectively.
Seven outstanding finalists delivered compelling three-minute speeches that distilled over 40 hours of research and reflection into concise, engaging presentations. In doing so, they demonstrated not only academic rigour, but the ability to reflect on, synthesise, and confidently communicate complex ideas, which are hallmarks of IB learning.
Inspired by the University of Queensland's Three Minute Thesis, the 180EE challenges students to present the significance of their Extended Essay using only a single static slide, without prompts, props, or costumes. The format encourages students to sharpen their thinking, refine their argument, and connect with a wider audience. As such, they strengthen their skills in communication, self-management, and critical thinking.
We were honoured to welcome a distinguished judging panel for the final round: Smithsonian Fellow Dr Kathy Mackey, International Toastmaster Mr Mark Hunter, and 2024 180EE winner and QAHS proxime accessit Dante Pellegrino. Their diverse expertise in academia and public speaking provided valuable insight and thoughtful adjudication.
Throughout the competition, students were assessed on their clarity of expression, command of content, and confidence of delivery. Each speech was a celebration of inquiry and a demonstration of personal learning, providing an affirmation of the Extended Essay as both a rigorous academic pursuit and a transformative learning journey.
The 180EE not only highlighted the exceptional quality of student research at QAHS, but also reinforced the importance of collaboration, reflection, and lifelong learning, which are core elements of the IB framework. It served as a powerful reminder that the ability to communicate ideas with purpose and passion is a skill that extends beyond the classroom.
Congratulations to all participants and to our finalists for their resilience, insight, and ability to inspire. The QAHS community is immensely proud of the way our students continue to embrace the challenges of the IB, and we look forward to seeing their learning continue to flourish.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winner of the 180EE 2025 – Yanyan Zhang, along with competitors: Zia Kao, Scarlett Kim, Tvisha Patel, Lakshmi Purushothaman, Orion Rafalovitch and Vanessa Snook.
Kary Stratton
EE Coordinator