2020 Edinburgh Brain Bee promotes brain science to High School pupils

A group of University of Edinburgh students and neuroscientists including Dr Dorothy Tse (Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences) organised the annual Edinburgh Brain Bee competition, which was held at the University of Edinburgh on 22 February 2020. Dr Jennifer Paxton, a lecturer in anatomy gave a talk on anatomy and tissue engineering. The event was funded by the Principal's Teaching Award Scheme at the University of Edinburgh and also supported by Edinburgh Neuroscience.

 

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Brain Bee 1

The Edinburgh Brain Bee championship promotes brain science to secondary school pupils with the aim of motivating pupils to pursue careers in neuroscience. This half day competition was open to all secondary school students in United Kingdom in an attempt to widen participations. Pupils from around 15 different schools participated, not only in Scotland (Edinburgh, East Lothian, Perth, Bannockburn, Inverness and others) but also throughout the United Kingdom (Newcastle and Manchester). The event was very well received and the participants provided positive feedback.

The competition consisted of two parts: a written exam and a histology, neuroanatomy and patient diagnosis exam. In addition, Dr Paxton, gave a talk on anatomy and tissue engineering. This event also provided the high schools pupils with an opportunity to be introduced to the vibrant research community and variety of centres that make up Edinburgh Neuroscience, which is well-known for its integrated, cross-disciplinary and quality research.

We are delighted in sharing our passion for neuroscience with motivated young people, their parents and interested teachers. I am very proud of the Edinburgh university students who organised such a successful event. 

 

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Brain Bee 2

Congratulations to the winners:

  • 1st: Rhian Dowding (Dunbar Grammer School)
  • 2nd: Katherine Mellor (George Heriot’s)
  • 3rd: Priyanka Gopalkaje (Boroughmuir High School)
  • 4th: Daniel Edwards (Royal Grammar School Newcastle)
  • 5th: Angus Baker (Nairn Academy)
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Brain Bee 3

This is an amazing opportunity for university students to lead a neuroscience outreach event to promote the next generation of scientists.