About 200 year 9 students took part in The Grand Challenge a series of academic challenges presented by some of Monash University's leading academics.

Organisers said the week-long event, now in its third year, emphasised participation, mentoring and personal development.

The students at Nossal were divided into their four houses - Garuda, Pegasus, Griffin and Phoenix - and answered the question 'Are we the luckiest generation?' with a written response, creative response and a formal presentation.

Unexpected 'curveball' challenges put teams under greater pressure, with one house writing, producing and filming a television commercial in under an hour.

The challenge also included a debate by the Monash Association of Debaters and a presentation on Generation Z by Chris Varney, a Monash University law student, co-founder of World Vision's Vision Generation and former Australian youth ambassador to the UN.

Nossal staff member Zoe Wall, who created the Grand Challenge, said it was never too early to introduce the students to the world of a university.

"The challenge is all about learning, researching and exploring the big issues within a university environment.

"The students attend lectures just like a first-year uni student, take part in workshops and discuss their ideas with student mentors who act as their research supervisors."

Nossal director of curriculum and pedagogy Jennifer Callahan said the students were embracing the program and enjoying the experience of a different way to learn.

"From the basis of 'Five Minds for the Future', it is an opportunity for them to focus on the synthesising, creative and respectful mind, while producing responses that analyse the differences and changes their generation is experiencing in the fields of technology, education, health, wealth and economics and society."