Australian Brain Bee Challenge
The Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABBC) is a competition for high school students in year 10 to learn about the brain and its functions, learn about neuroscience research, find out about careers in neuroscience and to dispel misconceptions about neurological and mental illnesses.
The program was started in Australia in 2006 to address a number of deficiencies in the public's perception of science in general, and neuroscience in particular.
The ABBC provides current and accurate information on the latest advances in neuroscience research, its value to the community, and promote careers in science and technology.
The Brain Bee Challenge Rounds
There are 4 Rounds to the Australian Brain Bee Challenge.
Round 1 - Online Quiz
Round 1 is held during Brain Awareness Week. Students study the book Neuroscience: Science of the Brain. An Introduction for Young Students by The British Neuroscience Association (BNA) and European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB). They then complete an on-line quiz in their schools under exam conditions to determine their knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the brain.
Education Perfect administers the Round 1 Quiz (opens in a new window)
Round 2 - Regional Finals
Round 2 of the competition is the State Finals, held in each State and Territory in Australia. Students who achieve a high score in Round 1 are invited to attend a full day of activities at a university campus or research institution.
The Round 2 study book is Brain Facts, 2012 Edition by the Society from Neuroscience.
As well as participating in two rounds of live questioning to determine who will become the State or Territory champion, students also experience a day filled with activities to educate them about neuroscience research. This may include lab tours, demonstrations, lectures, experiments and the opportunity to speak to researchers.
There is also a team competition on the day where schools compete against each other to win prizes for their school.
The State Finals are held between June and August.Find out more about Round 2, the State Finals:
Round 3 - National Finals
Round 3 is the National Finals where 8 Australian students compete against each other to become the Australian Brain Bee Challenge Champion. Round 3 has been held annually since 2007 at the Australian Neuroscience Society (ANS) conference.
Students compete in 4 challenges, held over 2 days including an anatomy challenge, a written short answer challenge, a patient diagnosis challenge and a live question and answer challenge.
Students also have the opportunity to attend ANS scientific sessions and meet with scientists, researchers and students involved in neuroscience.
Round 4 - International Brain Bee (IBB)
Round 4 is the International Brain Bee (IBB). The IBB takes place at an international neuroscience/psychology conference and in the past has been held in places such as America and Italy.
- In 2012 the IBB was held in South Africa and the Australian representative, from Brisbane, Teresa Tang won the competition.
- Vienna, Austria was the host city in 2013 where Australian representative, also from Brisbane, Jackson Huang took out first prize.
- Washington DC hosted the 2014 IBB and the winner was Gayathri Muthukumar of Bangalore, India.
- Round 1: March 2015
- State Finals: June - August 2015
- Neuroscience Science of the Brain by the British Neuroscience Association (opens in a new window).
- Brain Facts, 2012 Edition, by the Society for Neuroscience (opens in a new window).