Australia鈥檚 neuroscientists of the future will be unveiled when the country鈥檚 brightest young minds compete in the finals of the Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABCC) held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre this weekend.
ABBC is an initiative of the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at the University of Queensland (宅男导航).
The country鈥檚 only neuroscience competition for high school students, ABBC is a test of knowledge about important facts and concepts concerning intelligence, memory, emotions, sensations, movement, stress, aging, sleep, Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and stroke and is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in neuroscience research.
Eight Australian finalists* and two New Zealanders will test their brainpower in front of a live audience as they work through brain-teasing anatomy exam, doctor-patient diagnosis, written test and finally a neuroscience quiz.
One Australian winner from the two-day competition will be invited to compete in the International Brain Bee Competition held in Vienna, Austria (though still TBC) in 2013.
The winner will be announced on Sunday, February 3 at 3.30 pm as part of the Australian Neuroscience Society鈥檚 annual conference and will receive return international airfares, accommodation and spending money for themselves and an accompanying adult to attend the prestigious international competition.
*National finalists include:
Queensland
Jackson Huang, Queensland Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Oxenford, Gold Coast
Northern Territory
Shannon Kieran, Casuarina Senior College, Anuta, Darwin
Tasmania
Stephan Harvey, family have recently moved Previous School-St Mary's District School, Scamander, Current School- Hellyer College
New South Wales
Vivienne Zhang, Ascham School, Dolls Point
Australian Capital Territory
Niluka Karunasekera, Burgmann Anglican School, Amaroo
Victoria
Zelda Perri, Presentation College Windsor, East Malvern, Melbourne
South Australia
Liam Hockley, Christian Brothers College, Peterhead
Western Australia
Abbey Ford, St Mary's College (Broome), Cable Beach
New Zealand - North Island
Jiantao Shen, Mount Roskill Grammar School, Mount Roskill, Auckland
New Zealand - South Island
Jawon Kim, Riccarton High School, Sockburn, Christchurch
Media: Mikaeli Costello, Queensland Brain Institute, 0401 580 685, Mikaeli.Costello@uq.edu.au
Queensland Brain Institute
The Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) was established as a research institute of the University of Queensland in 2003. The Institute is now operating out of a new $63 million state-of-the-art facility and houses 33 principal investigators with strong international reputations. QBI is one of the largest neuroscience institutes in the world dedicated to understanding the mechanisms underlying brain function.
Australian Brain Bee Challenge
The Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABBC) is recognised by the International Brain Bee competition held in the United States and winners of the ABBC may have the opportunity to participate in the international competition.
The ABBC is calling for entries for students wishing to become 2013 Australian Brain Bee Challenge Champion. Registration is free and teachers may nominate one student through to their whole Year 10 class.
For more information or to register visit
International Brain Bee
The 2012 International Brain Bee (IBB) will be held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2012. The Australian Brain Bee Challenge Champion and the New Zealand Brain Bee Champion are invited to attend the IBB with flights, accommodation and spending money for the Champion and an accompanying parent included as part of their prize. Conditions apply, please read Terms and Conditions.
Australian Neuroscience Society
The Australian Neuroscience Society (ANS) is a non-profit organisation of scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system and are actively involved in research and teaching. If you have similar interests, we invite you to contact us about joining our society.
