2026 STUDENT PROGRAMS

Away With Words: Lexical Play for Logophiles

Presenter: Melody Hsu

Word-lovers unite! We live in a wonderful world of words. For these three days, they will be our playground. In this program, we will ponder, mull, and chew over words and their nuances, and consider how we can use them thoughtfully, creatively, and precisely, to reflect and impact the world around us. In this program, the word is our oyster.

Away With Words is a journey of enriching guided discovery and inquiry experiences. Catering to a diversity of student strengths, needs, interests, and learning preferences, activities include:

• Investigating terminology of word study through games and discussion
• Experimenting with language patterns to manipulate style and tone in creative writing
• Applying visual communication techniques to convey meaning without words
• Inventing new vocabulary based on how words and meanings originate

Purposefully crafted to engage, challenge, and inspire advanced young learners in deep, complex, and innovative thinking, this program intentionally builds cross-curricular connections, and extends beyond the school curriculum. 

Away With Words invites the gifted word enthusiast to immerse themselves in playful rigour as they discern the true significance of the words we choose and use.

The Games People Play

Presenter: Timothy Huang

Why do people play games, and how do toys reflect the culture of their time? In this hands-on workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 3–4 will investigate the world of toys and games before becoming designers themselves. 

Students will begin by exploring classic toys and games, pulling them apart to see how they work and what makes them appealing. From there, they’ll design and build their own games, test them with peers, and refine their creations based on feedback. Along the way, they’ll consider important questions about toys and society — such as gender stereotypes, violence, safety, and the influence of popular culture. 

What your child will do: 

• Deconstruct existing toys and games to see how they are designed. 
• Create original board games, toys, or digital prototypes. 
• Work collaboratively to develop a toy and game company, complete with logo, slogan, and products. 
• Pitch and showcase their creations in a “mini convention” with classmates. 

What your child will gain: 

• Critical and creative thinking through playful design. 
• Skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation. 
• A deeper appreciation of how culture, psychology, and technology shape the games we play. 

The Games People Play is a unique opportunity for advanced learners to explore, design, and reimagine the toys and games of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. 

Smell, Hear, Touch, Taste, See, Imagine: The Art of Creative Writing

Presenter: Madeleine Boyle

What makes a story truly come alive? In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 3–4 will learn how to use all five senses—and their imagination — to write stories that transport readers into new worlds. 

Across three days, students will experiment with fun and engaging writing activities designed to spark creativity. They’ll practise describing settings, building characters, and creating atmosphere using sensory details. Activities include speed writing, team story-building games, sensory object descriptions (blindfolded!), and character interviews. Students will then use these skills to plan and write their own original short story. 

What your child will gain: 

• The ability to use vivid, sensory language to make writing engaging. 
• Skills to create atmosphere, build tension, and develop character voices. 
• Experience in giving and receiving constructive feedback on writing. 
• Confidence in sharing and presenting their creative work. 

This is a wonderful program for children who love writing or want to develop their imagination further. By the end, each student will have written their own short story, filled with sensory detail, creativity, and originality. 

The Story Machine

Presenter: Veronica Schwedes

What happens when a group of young writers all share the same story—and each gets to add their own twist? In The Story Machine, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 3–4 will become part of a community of authors, building a mystery story together one chapter at a time. 

Across three days, students rotate through each other’s stories, contributing at least six parts—including their own introduction, plot twists, cliffhangers, and resolution. Along the way, they’ll learn key storytelling skills such as creating strong characters, describing vivid settings, writing dialogue, and building suspense. Each session begins with a short skill-building activity before students add their next instalment. 

What your child will gain: 

• Confidence in writing engaging stories in the mystery genre. 
• Skills in character development, setting description, dialogue, and narrative structure. 
• Opportunities to edit, proofread, and present their work. 
• The joy of publishing a collective story booklet to take home. 

With mood lighting, inspiring story read-alouds, and plenty of time for creativity, The Story Machine gives young writers the chance to explore mystery writing while connecting with like-minded peers. 

Checkmate Your Way to the Top

Presenter: Brett Tindall

Chess is more than a game—it’s a mental workout that sharpens memory, builds focus, and develops lifelong problem-solving skills. In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students will dive into the world of chess, exploring strategies that range from classic openings to modern gambits. 

Each session combines engaging puzzles, mini-games, and guided challenges, giving students the chance to practise new strategies and test them in friendly competitions. They’ll explore chess curiosities, discover the art of openings and endgames, and learn how to apply their thinking to real games. 

What your child will explore: 

• Classic and modern strategies, from the Sicilian Defence to creative gambits. 
• Puzzles and problem-solving challenges to sharpen focus and memory. 
• Friendly tournament play to practise skills in real time. 
• The hidden history and curiosities of the world’s most famous strategy game. 

What your child will gain: 

• Stronger concentration and critical thinking. 
• Resilience and perseverance through challenge. 
• Confidence in decision-making under pressure. 
• A lifelong skill that blends strategy, creativity, and fun. 

For beginners and experienced players alike, Checkmate Your Way to the Top offers an enriching, brain-stretching experience where every move counts. 

Brain Hacks: Learning with Cognitive Neuroscience (Y5-6)

Presenter: Adam Russell

How does your brain really learn and how can you make it work better? In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 5–6 will explore the science of attention, memory, and focus, conducting real experiments to test how their brain performs under different conditions.

Through live experiments, games, and Brain Performance Challenges, students will test the limits of multitasking, try out memory strategies used by experts, and practise focus techniques proven to improve performance. They'll see neuroscience in action while designing personalised brain training protocols based on their experimental results.

Children will:

• Learn how attention and working memory affect learning in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
• Apply memory strategies such as spaced recall.
• Understand the effects of distraction and practise focus tools.
• Experiment with creative thinking drills and invent new cognitive training techniques.

With extension options and scaffolds for different readiness levels, this program offers both rigour and accessibility. Brain Hacks is a rare chance for students to discover not just what to learn, but how to learn more effectively using the science of their own brain.

Wordplay Wizards: A Journey into Cryptic Crosswords

Presenter: Isaac Graham

Think cryptic crosswords are just for adults? Think again! In this fun but challenging workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 5–6 will uncover the hidden tricks behind cryptic clues and learn how to think like a puzzle setter. 

Across three sessions, students will start with the basics of clue structure, then explore different clue types including anagrams, double meanings, homophones, and hidden words. Through games, group challenges, and peer testing, they’ll learn to spot wordplay patterns and eventually design their own clues — or even a mini crossword. 

Children will: 

• Learn how cryptic clue types work and how to solve them. 
• Collaborate to tackle puzzles and test ideas with peers. 
• Build flexible thinking and language analysis skills. 
• Create and share original clues to showcase their learning. 

With tiered challenges and opportunities for creativity, Wordplay Wizards offers a rich literacy extension program that combines puzzles, wordplay, and problem-solving. Perfect for children who enjoy language, games, or creative thinking, this workshop will have them seeing words in a whole new way. 

Use Theatre Games to Ignite Your Brain! (Y5-6)
Presenter: Alastair Tomkins

Whether your child is outgoing or more reserved, this workshop offers a safe and playful space to try new ideas. Through theatre games and improvisation, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 5–6 will build creativity, confidence, and teamwork. 

Students will learn improv techniques, apply thinking strategies from the Australian Curriculum, and collaborate to create short performances. They’ll discover how improvisation develops quick thinking, resilience, and communication — skills that extend well beyond the stage. 

Children will: 

• Explore improvisation through fun, guided games. 

• Work with peers to create and share original scenes. 

• Build confidence in speaking, listening, and creative risk-taking. 

• Develop empathy and social awareness through collaboration. 

Each session blends warm-ups, group challenges, and mini performances, ensuring plenty of laughter and experimentation. This workshop isn’t about polished acting — it’s about imagination, discovery, and connection. For children curious about performance or simply looking for new ways to express themselves, Use Theatre Games to Ignite Your Brain! is a joyful and enriching experience. 

Role-Playing Games: Adventures and Decisions

Presenter: Victor Jauregui

Step into a world of imagination where every choice matters! In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 5–6 will explore the exciting world of role-playing games (RPGs)—both as players and as designers. 

As players, students will create their own unique characters and embark on epic fantasy adventures with friends. Their problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making will be tested at every turn: choose wisely and find glory, or misstep and face doom! 

As designers, students will invent their own adventures, creatures, rules, and challenges. They’ll use their imagination to build new worlds and game mechanics, then see how others play through them. Working in groups and individually, they’ll experience both sides of the RPG world—storytelling and strategy, creation and play. 

What your child will gain: 

• Creative writing and world-building skills. 
• Confidence in decision-making, problem-solving, and collaboration. 
• Opportunities to design characters, rules, and adventures. 
• A chance to showcase their talents — whether in storytelling, art, strategy, or performance. 

More than just games, Adventures and Decisions is a workshop about imagination, teamwork, and exploring the impact of choices. 

Odd Maths and Even Weirder Stuff

Presenter: Daniel Judd

Is maths always neat and predictable? Most of the time “1 + 1 = 2” … but sometimes, things aren’t so straightforward. In this workshop, students will dive into the fascinating side of mathematics—where mysteries remain unsolved, patterns unfold infinitely, and numbers behave in unexpected ways.

Over three days, gifted and high-potential learners will explore prime numbers, unsolved problems, fractals, and strange shapes in 3D and beyond. Some questions may have no known answers, but the fun lies in trying to solve them. Students will investigate, collaborate, and even create their own mathematical art, discovering that mathematics is as much about imagination as it is about calculation.

What your child will do:

• Investigate mathematical ideas and unsolved problems.
• Work collaboratively to explore challenging concepts.
• Create mathematical art and explore complex 3D shapes.
• Experiment with fractals and other patterns of infinite beauty.

What your child will gain:

• Advanced mathematical thinking beyond the school curriculum.
• Resilience and problem-solving skills from tackling open-ended questions.
• Deeper insight into pure mathematics and the work of real mathematicians.
• Appreciation of the beauty of numbers, patterns, and logic.

Why it matters:

Gifted students thrive on challenge and curiosity. This program offers them the chance to stretch their reasoning, test ideas, and experience the thrill of mathematical discovery in a supportive and creative environment. It builds confidence, persistence, and a genuine love for mathematics that goes far beyond the textbook.

Join us as we explore Odd Maths and Even Weirder Stuff — where numbers get mysterious, patterns get beautiful, and the impossible starts to make sense.

Making Beautiful Mathematical Art
Presenter: Tatiana Bonch-Osmolovskaya

Mathematics and art may seem worlds apart, but together they reveal patterns, shapes, and beauty that inspire creativity. In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 5–6 will explore fascinating mathematical ideas and transform them into works of art. 

Students will learn about Mobius strips, fractals, regular polygons, polyhedra, Fibonacci spirals, and even impossible figures. Each concept becomes a springboard for creativity as students draw, write, model, and experiment with different forms. Activities range from writing poems on a Mobius strip to crafting 3D polyhedra and building a collaborative Sierpinski pyramid from paper straws. 

What your child will gain: 

• A deeper understanding of mathematical beauty, symmetry, and spatial perception. 
• Hands-on experience connecting theory with creativity. 
• Skills in drawing, modelling, and collaborative art-making. 
• An appreciation for how mathematics shapes art, science, and the world around us. 

Every project can be adapted to suit individual interests and readiness levels, with opportunities for both personal exploration and group creation. Making Beautiful Mathematical Art is a unique chance for students to expand both their mathematical knowledge and their creative horizons. 

Use Theatre Games to Ignite Your Brain! (Y7-8)
Presenter: Alastair Tomkins

Whether your child is outgoing or more reserved, this workshop offers a safe and playful space to try new ideas. Through theatre games and improvisation, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 5–6 will build creativity, confidence, and teamwork.

Students will learn improv techniques, apply thinking strategies from the Australian Curriculum, and collaborate to create short performances. They’ll also practise responding to the cognitive verbs that appear in assessment questions (e.g., analyse, compare, justify, evaluate), rehearsing what these look and sound like in a fun, practical way. This builds clarity, confidence, and quick thinking that transfers to classroom tasks and exams.

Children will:

• Explore improvisation through fun, guided games.

• Work with peers to create and share original scenes.

• Build confidence in speaking, listening, and creative risk-taking.

• Develop empathy and social awareness through collaboration.

Each session blends warm-ups, group challenges, and mini performances, ensuring plenty of laughter and experimentation. This workshop isn’t about polished acting — it’s about imagination, discovery, and connection. For children curious about performance or simply looking for new ways to express themselves, Use Theatre Games to Ignite Your Brain! is a joyful and enriching experience.

Studying Mathematics in Ancient Egyptian Scribe School
Presenter: Tatiana Bonch-Osmolovskaya

Step back in time and discover how the Ancient Egyptians learned, calculated, and built wonders that still inspire us today. In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 7–8 will become “scribes-in-training,” exploring the tools, writing systems, and mathematical techniques used thousands of years ago. 

Students will learn how papyrus was made, practise writing Egyptian numerals, and solve arithmetic problems using ancient methods. They’ll take on challenges drawn from real papyri, including the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, just as Egyptian students once did. Through games like number bingo, they’ll become fluent in recognising hieroglyphic numbers up to one million. 

The program also explores how Egyptians measured land, aligned pyramids with the stars, and tracked time through astronomy. Hands-on activities such as craft-making, role play, and collaborative problem-solving help bring history, culture, and mathematics to life. 

What your child will gain: 

• Insight into Ancient Egyptian civilisation, culture, and science. 
• Experience solving mathematical problems from authentic papyri. 
• Understanding of Egyptian numerals, geometry, and measurement. 
• Creative skills through papyrus-making and craft. 

This is an immersive journey into history, culture, and mathematics, where students learn like true scribes of the ancient world. 

Designing for VR
Presenter: Dean Utian

Step into the future with Designing for VR! This workshop invites gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 7–8 to explore the world of Virtual Reality (VR) and discover how immersive technologies are shaping the way we learn, play, and communicate. 

Students will experience cutting-edge VR, analyse what makes an experience truly immersive, and then work in teams to design and prototype their own ideas. Guided by the principles of design thinking, they’ll brainstorm, storyboard, and create concepts for unique or innovative VR experiences. Along the way, they’ll learn how storytelling, creativity, and problem-solving combine to bring the metaverse to life. 

What your child will gain: 

• Hands-on experience with VR technology and immersive storytelling. 
• Skills in design thinking, teamwork, and prototyping. 
• Confidence in developing and pitching creative ideas. 
• Insight into the future of VR and its real-world applications. 

No coding background is needed—just imagination and curiosity. Designing for VR empowers students to see themselves not only as users of technology, but as creators of the digital worlds of tomorrow. 

Note: students are required to bring a laptop of their own to the program each day.  

Immersive History Labs: Apollo Conspiracy & D.B. Cooper Mystery
Presenter: Brenda Christie-David 

What really happened when humans first set foot on the Moon? And who was the mysterious man known as D.B. Cooper who vanished into the night with $200,000 in ransom money? 

In these immersive workshops, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 7–8 step into the role of investigators, historians, and critical thinkers. Each workshop recreates an “evidence room” filled with documents, photographs, props, and multimedia sources. Students analyse real evidence, weigh competing theories, and form reasoned arguments about two of history’s most captivating mysteries. 

In the Apollo Conspiracy immersion, students examine Cold War politics, NASA footage, and conspiracy claims to determine whether the 1969 Moon landing was fact or fiction. 

In the D.B. Cooper immersion, students investigate one of the FBI’s most baffling unsolved cases — evaluating eyewitness accounts, forensic evidence, and competing theories before defending their conclusions in a viva-style presentation. 

These workshops go beyond traditional history lessons. They challenge students to question, connect, and create meaning from complex, incomplete information — developing skills in analysis, collaboration, communication, and critical reasoning. 

Cosmology: Life, the Universe and Everything
Presenter: Carl Gibbs

From the Big Bang to black holes, cosmology asks some of the biggest questions in science. In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 9–10 will explore the origin, structure, and future of the universe.

Guided by Mr Carl Gibbs — longtime Scientia Challenge presenter, software engineer, and former Scientia student — students will journey through astronomy, relativity, quantum mechanics, and the history of cosmological thought.

Note: This is primarily a lecture-based course, reflecting the theoretical nature of cosmology.

Children will:

• Explore how the universe began and evolved.

• Investigate stars, galaxies, space, and time.

• Examine the theories and people that shaped cosmology.

• Discuss the latest developments in astronomy.

Students will engage with cosmology through lectures and discussion, deepening their scientific understanding and reasoning skills. The emphasis is on explanation and critical thinking, rather than practical activities.

The Brain in Health and Disease
Presenter: Ken Ashwell

How does the brain work — and what happens when things go wrong? In this accelerated workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 9–10 will explore the structure and function of the nervous system, from healthy brains to diseases and potential repair. 

Students will learn from preserved human tissue and models, practise supervised neurological examinations and engage with real scientific research papers. They’ll also consider the ethics of brain research and explore how doctors diagnose and treat nervous system diseases. 

Children will: 

• Understand brain and spinal cord structure. 

• Learn about common nervous system diseases. 

• Explore strategies for repair and treatment. 

• Practise simple neurological tests on peers. 

This program goes well beyond school science, encouraging observation, deduction, and critical thinking in a supportive environment. For students fascinated by biology, medicine, or neuroscience, The Brain in Health and Disease is an inspiring and challenging introduction to the science of the mind. 

Important note for parents: This program includes the examination of preserved human tissue as part of the learning experience. 

Brain Hacks: Learning with Cognitive Neuroscience (Y9-10)
Presenter: Adam Russell

How does your brain really learn and how can you make it work better? In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 9–10 will explore the science of attention, memory, and focus, discovering practical tools to boost their own learning and prepare for a calm and confident start to their senior studies.

Through live experiments, games, and cognitive challenges, students will test the limits of multitasking, try out memory strategies used by experts, and practise focus techniques proven to improve performance. They'll see neuroscience in action while applying it to their own study habits.

Children will:

• Learn how attention and working memory affect learning.
• Apply memory strategies such as spaced recall.
• Understand the effects of distraction and practise focus tools.
• Experiment with creative thinking drills and problem-solving tasks.
• Develop resilience-based strategies for managing academic pressure.
• Apply cognitive principles to accelerate learning in mathematics, sciences, and languages.

With extension options and scaffolds for different readiness levels, this program offers both rigour and accessibility. Brain Hacks provides the cognitive toolkit and strategic mindset essential for thriving in senior school and developing lifelong learning excellence.

How Machines Think (and Sometimes Fail: Inside the Brain of AI
Presenter: Onur Tanglay

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere—from chatbots to self-driving cars—but how does it really work? In this workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 9–10 will go behind the headlines to explore the science, possibilities, and limits of AI. 

Through hands-on experiments in physics and neuroscience, students will collect and analyse data, then use no-code AI tools to train their own models. They’ll discover where AI succeeds, where it struggles, and why human creativity and critical thinking are essential. Activities include testing reaction times, running a “physics ramp” experiment, training image-recognition models, and debating ethical dilemmas such as bias in hiring. 

What your child will gain: 

• An understanding of how AI models are built and tested. 
• Confidence in using AI tools to solve real problems. 
• Critical thinking skills for analysing data and recognising bias. 
• A big-picture view of how AI impacts science and society. 

No coding experience is required—just curiosity and an interest in science. By the end, students will see AI not as a mystery, but as a tool they can understand, question, and use responsibly. 

The Laws of Thought: Logic, Philosophy, and Mathematics
Presenter: Victor Jauregui

What does it mean to be a good thinker? Clear reasoning underpins success not just in mathematics and science, but in everyday life. Yet skills in logic and decision-making are rarely taught directly. 

In this three-day workshop, gifted and twice-exceptional students in Years 9–10 will dive into the foundations of logical thinking. They will learn how to structure ideas, evaluate arguments, and make decisions in complex situations. 

Students will explore three big themes: Language and Meaning, Reasoning, and Decision-Making. Through puzzles, paradoxes, and problem-solving activities, they will be challenged to think with both precision and creativity. The program includes debates, collaborative discussions, role plays, and take-home thought exercises to keep the learning alive between sessions. 

What your child will gain: 

• The ability to organise and express ideas with clarity. 
• Skills to spot the difference between strong and flawed reasoning. 
• Confidence in building, defending, and critiquing arguments. 
• Practical tools for making thoughtful decisions in the face of uncertainty. 
• An understanding of how logic connects mathematics, language, and philosophy. 

Why it matters: 

Reasoning and decision-making are essential for academic excellence and real-world success. By developing higher-order thinking and resilience in the face of ambiguity, students will be equipped with intellectual tools that not only boost their achievement across subjects but also prepare them to lead with confidence in the future.