The Baltimore Brain Bee Competition
The Brain Bee is a free neuroscience facts competition that tests topics such as intelligence, emotions, memory, sensation, perception, addiction, neurological diseases, and brain research. All high school students ages 14-18 in Baltimore City are eligible to compete in this Q&A competition based on information in the “Brain Facts” booklet (available from the Society for Neuroscience: http://www.brainfacts.org/about-neuroscience/brain-facts-book/).
Cash prizes up to $150 will be given to the top 3 winners. The first place winner of the Baltimore Brain Bee competition will also be eligible to compete in the National Brain Bee competition at the University of Maryland in early March. *Due to a recent structural reorganization directed by the National Brain Bee Organization, we will be unable to accommodate students outside of Baltimore City for the Baltimore Brain Bee competition scheduled on Friday, Feb 5th. Students from Baltimore County and Harford County students are now eligible to compete in the Baltimore County Brain Bee competition to be held at Stevenson University, Saturday Feb. 27, 2016. Please contact Dr. Ingrid Tulloch for information about the Baltimore County Brain Bee. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. |
Competition Format
Part A - Written Q&A Section
The Grand Inquisitor will read a series of 6-10 questions to all of the participants simultaneously. Each question in this part is designed to have one word or short phrase answers, and all students will concurrently write the answer to the current question on a dry erase board. The answer must be written within the 20-second time limit at which time a buzzer sounds. Each question is worth 1 point.
Part B - Oral Q&A Section
Each remaining student will be given one question in each of three rounds. Students will stand one at a time and receive a question from the Grand Inquisitor. The student must provide the answer orally within the 10-second time limit at which time a buzzer sounds. Each question is worth 2 points.
Part C - Human Neuroanatomy Practical Exam
The practical exam requires students to rotate through a series of 10 stations. At each station, a whole or half human brain and/or neuron models will have pins sticking in different parts. Students must recall the names and/or functions of the parts indicated and write them on their answer sheets. Students will have 1 minute to answer the questions for each station at which time a buzzer sounds.
Part D - Oral Question Phase
The finalists will be ranked according to their cumulative score for Parts A-C and proceed to a series of question rounds until a winner is identified. For each round of questions, the student will line up in order from lowest score to highest score. Each student, in turn, will be asked one question from the Grand Inquisitor. The student will have 10 seconds to answer at which time a buzzer sounds. Students may ask to have the question repeated with the clock is still running. If a right answer is given, the student moves on to the next round. If a wrong answer is given, the student is eliminated. If all students in a given question round give incorrect answers, all students continue to the next round. Rounds continue until there is a single winner. In the event of a tie for 2nd and/or 3rd place, placement will be determined by those students’ total scores at the point of elimination.
The Grand Inquisitor will read a series of 6-10 questions to all of the participants simultaneously. Each question in this part is designed to have one word or short phrase answers, and all students will concurrently write the answer to the current question on a dry erase board. The answer must be written within the 20-second time limit at which time a buzzer sounds. Each question is worth 1 point.
Part B - Oral Q&A Section
Each remaining student will be given one question in each of three rounds. Students will stand one at a time and receive a question from the Grand Inquisitor. The student must provide the answer orally within the 10-second time limit at which time a buzzer sounds. Each question is worth 2 points.
Part C - Human Neuroanatomy Practical Exam
The practical exam requires students to rotate through a series of 10 stations. At each station, a whole or half human brain and/or neuron models will have pins sticking in different parts. Students must recall the names and/or functions of the parts indicated and write them on their answer sheets. Students will have 1 minute to answer the questions for each station at which time a buzzer sounds.
Part D - Oral Question Phase
The finalists will be ranked according to their cumulative score for Parts A-C and proceed to a series of question rounds until a winner is identified. For each round of questions, the student will line up in order from lowest score to highest score. Each student, in turn, will be asked one question from the Grand Inquisitor. The student will have 10 seconds to answer at which time a buzzer sounds. Students may ask to have the question repeated with the clock is still running. If a right answer is given, the student moves on to the next round. If a wrong answer is given, the student is eliminated. If all students in a given question round give incorrect answers, all students continue to the next round. Rounds continue until there is a single winner. In the event of a tie for 2nd and/or 3rd place, placement will be determined by those students’ total scores at the point of elimination.
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