[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/BrainBee.winner2006.jpg” caption=”Kim Cai, a Grade 12 student from Centennial CVI in Guelph, placed second place at the International Brain Bee held last weekend at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.”]The winner of McMaster's Brain Bee competition in February has placed second place at the International Brain Bee held last weekend at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

Kim Cai, a Grade 12 student from Centennial CVI in Guelph, had competed in McMaster's third annual competition. The final elimination round required 110 questions to determine a winner. Among Kim's prizes was a trip for two to Baltimore to compete with high school students from around the world.

The international competition is a rigorous two-day meet. Part one involves a neuroanatomy practical, patient diagnosis, written tests, and oral questions about the brain. The top six competitors with the most points proceed to the final question-and-answer round, which is structured much like a formal spelling bee, except that the questions are about neuroscience.

The competition required 40 rounds of questioning to whittle down the international entrants to one. First place was won by Jong Park of Toronto.

The Annual McMaster Brain Bee is hosted by the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour. Dr. Judith Shedden works with a Brain Bee crew of McMaster undergraduate and graduate students to coordinate the event.

“It's a great opportunity for us to share with local high school students our fascination with brain and neuroscience research, and to encourage them to think about making brain research a career,” Shedden says. “Our participation in the international competition raises McMaster's profile in the field of neurosciences during Brain Awareness Week, putting McMaster on the map for top high school students across North America. And 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.”

It is not too early for high school students to start preparing for the Fourth Annual McMaster Brain Bee, which will be held in February, 2007. It is open to all Hamilton and surrounding area high school students in grades 9 to 12. For more information visit brain.mcmaster.ca/BrainBee, or phone Dr. Shedden at 905-525-9140, ext. 24345.

The International Brain Bee is part of Brain Awareness Week.