On Saturday April 16 the Department of Kinesiology hosted its 8th annual Brain Bee Competition for high school students in Waterloo Region. This event tests a students’ knowledge of neuroscience and the human brain. Approximately 50 students participated and answered a series of multiple-choice questions using iClickers. They also received tours and demonstrations from our very own kinesiology labs, including getting the opportunity to view and handle human cadaver brain specimens.
First prize went to Nooran AbuMazen, a grade 12 student from Waterloo Collegiate Institute. Nooran won 400 dollars and went on to represent our region at the CIHR Canadian National Brain Bee championship held Saturday May 28 at McMaster University. Students from across Canada engaged in challenging events testing their knowledge of neuroscience and their skills in patient diagnosis and neuroanatomy. Nooran received first prize in this competition, winning 1500 dollars, a trophy and will be given the opportunity to work in a neuroscience laboratory. Nooran will now travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to represent Canada at the International Brain Bee World Championship (IBBWC) from June 30 to July 4, 2016, held in conjunction with the Convention of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies.
Organizers of Waterloo's Brain Bee event include Robyn Ibey, PhD candidate in neuroscience in the Department of Kinesiology, and Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology.