Top Talks

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work and present the VCE Season of Excellence; the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation. We acknowledge all traditional and ongoing custodians of the lands across Victoria, where students have investigated new creative possibilities and developed their bold artistic works.

About Top Talks

Top Talks showcases exceptional oral presentations from VCE Extended Investigation students.

Selected students share their original and rigorous independent research and findings through 8–10 minute presentations. Following the presentations, a Q&A panel discussion is held with the presenters, giving the audience an opportunity to learn more about the students' research topics and methods, as well as their experiences studying VCE Extended Investigation.

Top Talks 2024 took place at the Conversation Quarter, State Library Victoria on Friday 1 March 2024.

Four VCE Extended Investigation students from 2023 were selected to present their oral presentation.

Alexandra-Rose Hackel-Calvi

Woodleigh School, Langwarrin South, Bunurong Country

Preserving Southern Mornington Peninsula’s coastal middens against visitor erosion

Alexandra-Rose Hackel-Calvi Top Talks transcript

Xara Anderson

Camberwell Girls Grammar School, Canterbury, Wurundjeri Country

Parasocial Relationships and Australian Politics

Xara Anderson Top Talks transcript

Matthew Muller

University High School, Parkville, Wurundjeri Country

To What Extent can E. Coli Develop Resistance to Manuka Honey?

Matthew Muller Top Talks transcript

Alyna Hwey-Lin Ng

East Doncaster Secondary College, Doncaster East, Wurundjeri Country

The Influence of Eurocentrism on South and Southeast Asian Women's Self-perceptions of Beauty

Alyna Hwey-Lin Ng Top Talks transcript

Students who have completed VCE Extended Investigation are not required to submit an application for Top Talks. Participants will be selected via the Externally-assessed Task (EAT) assessment process. Participants must receive an A or an A+ for the EAT, and an exceptional mark for their oral presentation.

The selection panel ensures all presentations are considered fairly according to the criteria and cover a breadth of research topics. The VCE Season of Excellence team and other VCAA staff members have no input into which talks are selected.

Invitations to present at Top Talks will be sent to participants by email and/or post in mid-late December.

Curriculum and Assessment Resources

Curriculum and assessment resources can be found on the Extended Investigation study page.

Top Talks Archive

Access previous Top Talks presentations and downloadable transcripts in the Top Talks Archive.