This year, Ireland saw its first ever International Brain Bee competition. This was held at NUI Galway during Brain Awareness Week, and was organised by Prof John Kelly.
Three Galway-based secondary schools participated in the competition, with 16 students taking part. Michael Flaherty from St Enda’s College was the overall winner – congratulations Michael!
The International Brain Bee was founded over 20 years ago with the mission to inspire young people to study and pursue careers in neuroscience (read more here).
The International Brain Bee promotes student engagement with neuroscience through a three-tiered competition: students start by signing up for a Local Brain Bee, the winners of which compete in their country’s Regional Brain Bee. Every year, Regional Brain Bees send one representative to compete at the International Brain Bee world championship.
Given the success of this year’s inaugural event, we hope to extend this event throughout Ireland next year to give our secondary school students the opportunity to fully participate in this international contest.