Bright students attracted to UQ’s inaugural Australian Brain Bee Challenge

Organisers of a high school science competition at The University of Queensland are amazed and delighted at the large number of entries they have received for an inaugural neuroscience quiz.

On Tuesday March 14, more than 200 science students from 30 schools in south-east Queensland and northern NSW will participate in the first Australian Brain Bee Challenge at The University of Queensland.

The brain bee is a live question-and-answer competition, where students from as far away as Rockhampton and Lismore will be quizzed on their neuroscience knowledge in the quest to win a trip to America, microscopes for their schools and iPods.

Event coordinator University of Queensland neuroscientist Associate Professor Linda Richards said response to the event had been outstanding.

“Such enthusiasm is a great credit to science teachers and an indication of the growing importance and relevance of neuroscience to the whole community,” Dr Richards said.

“The Brain Bee Challenge is more than a competition to see who knows the most about the brain. For many students it will also be their first opportunity to see research laboratories first-hand and to talk to scientists about their work.

Research under way at the Queensland Brain Institute is vital to the development of treatments for dementia, stroke, Motor Neurone Disease, brain and spinal cord injury, and depression.

“The Queensland Brain Institute believes it should be proactive in encouraging the best and brightest students to consider a career in neuroscience,” Dr Richards said.

The Brain Bee is a joint initiative of the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) and the Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences (BACS).

Science teacher John Brannelly, from Murgon State High School (about a three-hour drive from Brisbane), said four of his students were busily studying neuroscience for the competition.

“We’ve got some bright young people and it’s a terrific opportunity for our students to mix with some of the best in the state,” Mr Brannelly said.

Because of the large number of students competing, participants will be split into several rotating groups. While some students are answering neuroscience questions, others will be taken on tours to neuroscience laboratories and other UQ facilities.

QBI Director Professor Perry Bartlett will officially open the event at 9.00 am and BACS Executive Dean Professor Mick McManus will be officially presenting winners their prizes from 4.30 pm.

Associate Professor Linda Richards is available for interview (07) 3356 2661. For more information please call Shani Doig on 3346 9980 or Ron Hohenhaus on 0434 601 066. Media parking and an event schedule are available upon request.

Participants include schools from: Brisbane (Ashgrove, Bald Hills, Everton Park, Holland Park, Shorncliffe), Buderim, Lismore, Mudgeeraba, Murgon, Proston, Rockhampton, Southport and Waterford. Media enquiries welcome.
Links: BACS Faculty
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