Four exceptional students from Redlands College will be lauded before their peers on Thursday, when their school is presented with a microscope they won in a science competition.
In March, The University of Queensland conducted Australia's first Brain Bee Challenge (ABBC) – a test of brain science knowledge for students in grades 10 and 11 – which attracted more than 30 schools and 200 participants.
By finishing in the top four of the team competition, Johanna Baehr, Sherry Chen, David Mogg and Rebecca Porter from Redlands College have gained a microscope from Carl Zeiss Australasia that will benefit students for years to come.
Redlands College science teacher Renee Papajcsik said the new microscope, which is worth more than $2,500, would make a valuable contribution to the school's already strong science program.
"The students are so excited about receiving the microscope,” Mrs Papajcsik said.
“They are proud that they have won it for the school and are eagerly anticipating using it.”
Brain Bee coordinator and QBI neuroscientist Associate Professor Linda Richards said she was impressed at the depth and complexity of neuroscience knowledge many of the students had demonstrated in the competition.
"Such enthusiasm is a great credit to science teachers and an indication of the growing importance and relevance of neuroscience to the whole community," Dr Richards said.
"The University of Queensland believes it should be proactive in encouraging the best and brightest students to consider a neuroscience career."
Plans are now under way to take ABBC to regional areas of Queensland next year.
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Redlands College
Renee Papajcsik
Tel: +61 7 3286 0222
QBI Communications Office
Tel: +61 7 3346 6434
Notes to the Editor
QUEENSLAND BRAIN INSTITUTE
The Queensland Brain Institute was formed in 2003 as part of the Queensland Government’s Smart State Initiative, building on a long history of neuroscience at The University of Queensland. QBI is dedicated to understanding the molecular basis of brain function and applying this knowledge to the development of new therapeutics to treat brain and mental health disorders.
