By: Vidushi - Grade 9 Student
Photo Credit: by Canadian National Brain Bee
On February 21st, I had the opportunity to compete in the Hamilton Region Brain Bee at McMaster University. This annual competition challenges high school students from grades 9 to 12 to test their knowledge of the brain and neuroscience. It was an incredible experience that deepened my understanding of the field.
The competition began with a round of short answer questions, requiring us to quickly recall and articulate facts about the brain. Next was the Neuroanatomy Bellringer Test, a fast-paced quiz where we had to identify various parts of the nervous system with precision.The actual brain was used in this test, making the experience even more fascinating and hands-on.
After a lunch break, we moved on to the multiple-choice round. This section was particularly difficult, as the questions were highly detailed. The top three students advanced to the final showdown, where the competition became even more intense. I was thrilled to place third in the competition, and I was very surprised!
One of the most exciting parts of the day was exploring the university’s neuroscience labs and participating in hands-on experiments. We conducted a cricket experiment by playing music and observing their rhythmic response. The other experiment involved exposing fruit flies to different colored flashlights to see how they reacted, demonstrating how environmental stimuli influence behavior.
We also had the chance to visit the Neuroanatomy Lab, where we examined real cross-sections of brains, hearts, and other organs. Seeing the human body in such detail was both educational and impressive. The most striking part was observing limbs with the skin removed, revealing the intricate structure of muscles, bones, and nerves.
Throughout the day, we listened to researchers from the Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour departments as they shared insights into their work on memory, sleep, impact of music, and emotions. Their passion for neuroscience was truly inspiring and reinforced my interest in the field.
Overall, the Brain Bee was an engaging, intellectually stimulating, and rewarding experience. It’s a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself and gain valuable knowledge. If you have a curiosity about the brain or enjoy academic competitions, I highly recommend participating next year!
For more details about the Brain Bee, visit brainbee.ca/local-bees/hamilton/
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