28 January 2014

WHAT: Australian Brain Bee Challenge

WHEN: Wednesday, 29 January 2014 at 12.45pm-2.45pm

WHERE: Adelaide Convention Centre

Australia’s neuroscientists of the future will be unveiled when the country’s brightest young minds compete in the finals of the Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABCC) held at the Adelaide Convention Centre today.

The brain bee challenge is the country’s only neuroscience competition for high school students.

It is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in neuroscience research.

It is a test of knowledge about important facts and concepts concerning intelligence, memory, emotions, sensations, movement, stress, aging, sleep, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.

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 America in 2014.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday, 29 January 29 at 2.15pm as part of the Australasian Neuroscience Society’s annual conference.

They will receive return international airfares, accommodation and spending money for themselves and an accompanying adult to attend the prestigious international competition.

*National Finalists include

STATE

NAME

SCHOOL

SUBURB

QLD

Eva Wang

Somerville House

Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane

NZ NORTH ISLAND

Ming Hong Thomas Chang

Auckland Grammar School

Epsom, Auckland

NZ SOUTH ISLAND

Luke Gellen

Christ’s College, Canterbury

 

SA

Emily Rowland

Woodcroft College

Happy Valley

VIC

Malini Sivasaththivel

The MacRobertson's Girls High School

Glen Waverley, Melbourne

NSW

Ricky Chung

James Ruse Agricultural High School

Baulkham Hill

NT

Jasmine Aitken

Taminmin College

Berry Springs

TAS

Finn Buchhorn

St Mary's District School

Upper Scamander

ACT

Keeley Hoek

Burgmann Anglican School

Ngunnawal

WA

Katie Roche

St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls

Mosman Park

Media: Mikaeli Costello, Director Advancement and Communications, Queensland Brain Institute, +61 401 580 685 or mikaeli.costello@uq.edu.au

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

Queensland Brain Institute

The Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) is a world-class research facility based at The University of Queensland’s (UQ) St Lucia campus. Researchers at QBI make great contributions to the field by studying fundamental cellular and mechanistic processes, as well as disorders and diseases from early brain development through to later life. Our scientists work to understand complex functions such as cognition, ageing, neurological disease, mental illness, and learning and memory.

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 the 2014 Australian Brain Bee Challenge. Registration is free and teachers can nominate as many Year 10 students as they wish.

For more information or to register visit www.abbc.edu.au

International Brain Bee

The 2013 International Brain Bee (IBB) will be held in the USA in 2014. 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.
www.internationalbrainbee.com

Australasian Neuroscience Society

The Australasian 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.