Australia's 'brainiest' student will be unearthed when the country's brightest young minds compete in the finals of the Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABBC), supported by The University of Queensland's Queensland Brain Institute.
The event will be held at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast this weekend.
The country's 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's disease and stroke.
The competition is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in neuroscience research.
Eight Australian finalists* will test their brainpower in front of a live audience as they work through a 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 Cape Town, South Africa in 2012.
The winner will be announced on Monday January 30th at 12.30pm as part of the Australian Neuroscience Society's 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:
- Victoria - Olufolakemi (Folakemi) Bolarinwa, Reservoir High School
- South Australia - Adit Chakranarayan, Christian Brothers College
- Western Australia - Regi Martin, Newton Moore Senior High School
- Tasmania - Rachel Roberts, Dominic College
- Northern Territory - Nina Ruzsicska, Darwin High School
- Queensland - Teresa Tang, Brisbane State High School
- Australian Capital Territory - Ashly Vu, St Francis Xavier College
- New South Wales - Alexander Wojno, Duval High School / Hurlstone Agricultural High School
Media: Ingrid Rubie UQ Communications, (07) 3365 2619 or i.rubie@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 2012 Australian Brain Bee Champion.
Registration is free and teachers may nominate one student through to their whole Year 10 class.
For more information or to register visit www.abbc.edu.au
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.
http://www.internationalbrainbee.com/
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.
http://www.ans.org.au/
