Debut online 2021 Edinburgh Brain Bee competition

A group of University of Edinburgh neuroscience researchers organised the annual Edinburgh Brain Bee competition, which was held on 20 March 2021. This was the first online Edinburgh Brain Bee competition.

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The competition consisted of a general knowledge neuroscience section followed by sections on histology and neuroanatomy, and patient diagnosis. After the exam, Dr Jennifer Paxton, a senior lecturer in anatomy from the University of Edinburgh gave a talk to the high school pupils on anatomy. In addition, some researchers from Edinburgh Neuroscience talked about neuroscience careers and shared their experience. This event also provided the pupils an opportunity to be introduced to the vibrant research community and the variety of centres that make up Edinburgh Neuroscience, which is well-known for its integrated, cross-disciplinary and quality research.

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The Edinburgh Brain Bee championship promotes brain science to secondary school pupils with the aim of motivating pupils to pursue careers in neuroscience. This competition was open to all secondary school students in the United Kingdom in an attempt to widen participation. The event was very well received and the participants provided positive feedback. 

Congratulations to the winners:

1st: Annalise Forrest, George Watson’s college

2nd: Swarna Gnanapandithan, Glasgow Academy

3rd: Beth Murphy, Plockton high school

4th: Jenny Lamb, George Watson’s college

5th: Jessica Claire Riach, Meldrum academy

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 “This is an amazing opportunity to promote the next generation of scientists and for university students to lead a neuroscience outreach event.” says Kalyani Pandya and Heema Ajeet Gokani, co-organisers and MSc students of the Edinburgh Brain Bee. 

“We are delighted in sharing our passion for neuroscience with motivated young people. It was great that students and researchers from Edinburgh Neuroscience organised such a successful event”, says Dr Dorothy Tse, Edinburgh Brain Bee hub director and senior post-doc at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences. 

The winners can progress further in this prestigious competition. The first 3 winners from each regional hub (UK wide) are invited to a National Competition, will take place in May 2021. This will be followed by the highly anticipated International Brain Bee Competition this autumn.