The annual symposium for the Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program symposium expands to bring neuroscience to high school students

SOURCE: RI-MUHC
March 22, 2024

The Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) held its annual symposium on March 18-19, 2024. The first day of the event featured the 2024 Montreal Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition for high school students.

Ten schools participated in the event, which included 72 students from Secondary 3 to first year CEGEP. The students attended the keynote address given by Joe Schwarcz, PhD, Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, who discussed the brain, past and present. The Brain Bee competition followed, where students were tested on their neuroscience knowledge. At the conclusion of the competition, the students visited histopathology, proteomics and molecular imaging platforms, among others, as well as basic research labs at the Glen site of the RI-MUHC.

"BrainBee is not just a competition...even during the exam, we learn a lot from the videos that were presented. I really enjoyed Joe Schwarcz's conference and I'm so glad I got the chance to see where the researchers work. My favorite part of the tour was seeing the molecules in colour — it was beautiful!” said Thao Nghi Océanne Nguyen, from Collège Ste-Marcelline.

The winner of the competition was announced at the end of the day. Organizers Alexandra Kindrat, PhD (BRaIN Program Manager), and Gregory Mikerov (Montreal Brain Bee President) were thrilled with the outcome of the day and the enthusiasm of all participants in their appreciation and engagement in neuroscience.

Check the video to see it all!