Three Warren Collegiate Institute students tested their neuroscience knowledge against 70 competitors from across Manitoba at the annual Winnipeg Brain Bee — marking the first time the school has sent three participants, with two earning top-10 finishes.
Shelby Birch, a Grade 12 student, along with Grade 11 students Jessica Chrusch and Sarah Goodwill, represented the school at the competition held March 21. Chrusch and Goodwill both earned top-10 finishes.
The event, hosted by the Manitoba Neuroscience Network, challenges students on topics including memory, emotions, sleep, brain disorders and nervous system function. Participants complete written and diagnostic components and take part in hands-on learning activities led by scientists.
Held annually at the University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne campus, the Brain Bee also gives students an opportunity to explore neuroscience in a practical setting.
Chrusch said the experience was both challenging and rewarding.
“It was a unique experience. It was really rewarding because it was the hardest I’ve ever studied for something,” she said. “It’s something I am super proud of, and I felt the experience was very rewarding.”
One highlight, she said, was touring the lab facilities.
“Especially holding a human brain and being able to point out and see all the anatomy I had been studying,” Chrusch said. “It was cool to meet all the different participants — it felt like a very supportive community.”
Goodwill said the competition offered a rare opportunity to engage in academics in a competitive environment.
“It was a really fun experience to compete in something academic,” she said. “My favourite part was the workshops after the competition.”
She said the hands-on components helped bring classroom learning to life.
“It was really neat being able to hold a real brain and see all the parts in real life,” Goodwill said. “It made all of the studying come together.”
Both students said they are already looking ahead.
“Jess and I are planning to compete next year,” Goodwill said. The top competitor at the provincial event advances to the Canadian National Brain Bee, held at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., with the opportunity to move on to international competition.
