[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/brainbee.jpg” caption=”McMaster will host the fourth annual Brain Bee on Tuesday, Feb. 20.”]The fourth annual McMaster Brain Bee will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 20. A record number of high school students will compete in this year's event.

The Brain Bee competition is modeled after a spelling bee, with students taking turns answering questions about the brain and neuroscience on topics such as intelligence, memory, emotions, movement, stress, aging and sleep.

All questions and answers for the local competition will be selected from a single document, a free downloadable 65-page primer on the brain and nervous system, published by the Society for Neurosciences.

The student who is awarded the title of “Best Brain” in our local competition will receive a travelling trophy for his or her high school and an all-expense paid trip to Baltimore in March to compete with students from all over the world in the International Brain Bee. There are also other prizes for the first, second, and third place winners.

Students in the International Brain Bee compete for a honey pot of prizes including a trophy, a $3,000 US cash scholarship, a trip for two to the annual Society for Neurosciences conference, and a summer fellowship to work in the laboratory of a prominent neuroscientist. Last year, local winner Kim Cai placed second in the international competition.

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

“The Annual Brain Bee is 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,” says Shedden. “During the competition, high school students will have the opportunity to chat with undergraduate and graduate students about their own brain research at McMaster.

“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,” Shedden adds. “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.”

The fourth annual McMaster Brain Bee is open to all Hamilton and surrounding area high school students in Grades 9 to 12.

For more information about how to register, please visit the Brain Bee website or call Shedden at (905) 525-9140, ext. 24345.

The International Brain Bee is part of Brain Awareness Week, running this year from March 12 to March 18.