[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Shedden_Judith.jpg” caption=”Judith Shedden, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour. File photo.”]Neuroscience research brings us closer to understanding the mysteries of the human mind. In an effort to promote interest in brain research among high school students, the fifth annual McMaster Brain Bee will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

The event is proudly sponsored by the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB), the McMaster Institute for Neuroscience Discovery and Study (MiNDS) and the Faculty of Science at McMaster University.

“The Brain Bee is an avenue for high school students to learn about neuroscience and the importance of brain research,” said Alison Sills, associate dean of studies for the Faculty of Science. “It has been an effective mechanism to attract students to McMaster University.”

Judith Shedden, an associate professor in PNB, has coordinated the local Brain Bee for the past five years. This year, she is joined by co-coordinators Joe Kim, Chris McAllister and a huge group of volunteers.

“An important goal of the Brain Bee is to reach out to our extended community to share what we are doing in our laboratories, and to encourage these bright young minds to consider a career in brain research,” Shedden explained. “Former Brain Bee participants who are now undergraduate students at McMaster describe their Brain Bee experience as motivational in their decision to pursue a career in neuroscience.”

The Brain Bee is open to high school students from Hamilton, Halton and Niagara regions. Students take turns answering questions about the brain and neuroscience on topics such as intelligence, memory, emotions, movement, stress, aging and sleep.

Aaron Hackett participated in the first two Brain Bees at McMaster and won second place in 2004. He is now an enthusiastic undergraduate student in the challenging Honours Biology and Psychology program at McMaster.

“Exposure to psychology as a discipline and neuroscience in particular is severely lacking in the high school environment,” said Hackett. “The Brain Bee gives high school students this necessary exposure, and it is an awesome and intense experience.”

McMaster will also host the very first Canadian National Brain Bee on May 9 and 10. Competitors from across Canada will compete for the national title, and the national winner will go on to compete internationally.

“Neuroscience research is one of the great frontiers of scientific research,” said Shedden. “It is leading to an understanding of our own thinking and behaviour. Reaching out to the local community in this way sends a strong message about the importance of this kind of research to incoming students as well as legislators.”

For more information about how to register, please visit the Brain Bee website or contact Shedden at 905-525-9140, ext. 24345 or shedden@mcmaster.ca.