Last week a team of girls spearheaded by science teacher Mr Boasman participated in the highly competitive Brainbee Competition which involves answering university level questions about the brain. Congratulations to Jemima Po, Anneke Cummack, Emma Wong She and Kristina Herd who took out the top team. Jemima Po also took out the top individual award winning a 65 inch TV for the School!

The objectives of the competition are to

• Highlight what the brain does, how it functions and how important it is to everything we do and who we are as human beings. Simple knowledge of this nature provides self-esteem, dispels superstitions and misconceptions (for example topics such as where emotions reside), and explains the importance of enhancing your brain’s potential through learning, exercise and avoidance of illicit drugs.
• Educate teachers and students on the latest scientific findings and to explain how important research and discovery is to our community, as well as to generally improve scientific literacy in our community.
• Provide opportunities for students from all areas of New Zealand to participate in the competition and to challenge all students to consider a career in science and neuroscience in particular.
• Promote the study of neuroscience as a multidisciplinary discipline (encompassing basic science, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, psychology, medicine and bio- and nano-technologies). The future of all fields of science is that disciplines that once seemed to have no relevance to one another are now coming together and science education is lagging behind this advance. Neuroscience can help bridge these disciplines.

We are delighted that the girls have achieved at such a high level. Jemima now progresses to the Australasian competition and each of the girls won outstanding prizes. Thanks to Mr Boasman for supporting, preparing and organising the girls.