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The Barry Sixth Form team at Cardiff University

Students performing the ulnar nerve practical during the Wales National Brain Bee

On 2nd April 2012 Cardiff University hosted the second Wales National Brain Bee competition. This event was part of the International Brain Bee, a competition for high school students initiated by Dr Myslinski from the University of Maryland in 1998.

The aim of the Brain Bee is to motivate teenagers to learn more about the brain than they would ordinarily do within the Biology curriculum and to inspire them to consider a career in neuroscience.

Nearly 60 sixth‐form students from five schools in South Wales took part in the competition which pitted student against student with the overall winner being the student with the most correct answers and best knowledge of the brain. Twelve students from Miss Seville’s Yr 12 Biology class attended the competition. These included Thomas Webb, Jacques Sloman, Joshua Albertides, Elise Tyler, Jade Hopkins, Kai Thomas, Sophie Thomas, Jack Pierce, Clayton Barnes, Elliott Clissold, Matthew Williams and Rebecca Thomas.

Students performing the ulnar nerve practical during the Wales National Brain Bee

All participants took part in various competitions throughout the day. First, 25 multiple choice questions had to be answered on topics from perception to learning and memory, and from neuroscience methods to disease therapies. This was followed by identification of major neuroanatomical divisions on plastic brain models and diagnosis of common neurological disorders after watching video clips. The competition was concluded with an ulnar nerve practical in which participants recorded their own nerve conduction velocity and were tested on neurophysiological knowledge. The high scores achieved by many of the participants in such a varied challenge was testament to the fact that they had really done their ‘homework’.

All enjoyed the day at Cardiff University. Students particularly enjoyed using the laboratory facilities at Cardiff University and liked being able to take part in the ulnar nerve practical.