Young brain power on display: Highlights from the 2025 Brain Bee Challenge
On Tuesday, 29 July 2025, Queensland Brain Bee Challenge competitors filled UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) with their energy, curiosity, and know-how. Students and teachers from across Queensland gathered for this annual celebration of brain science, which aims to engage and inspire the next generation of neuroscientists.
What happens at the Brain Bee Challenge?
QBI researchers host this exciting learning opportunity, which begins with an interactive neuroscience workshop and lab tours. Students gain firsthand insight into the inner workings of the brain, and they can ask world-class scientists questions about this complex organ and how they research it.
Brain Bee Queensland coordinator Professor Bruno Van Swinderen said Brain Bee allows students to engage with the real-life neuroscience research being conducted at QBI.
“Most importantly, this event aims to attract diverse students and develop their interest in science,” Professor Van Swinderen said.
“We hope that this event fosters discoveries, collaboration and innovative learning activities for students who will potentially become passionate neuroscientists.
“Australia needs its best and brightest minds to consider neuroscience careers.”
After their introduction to neuroscience research, competitors dive headfirst into two stages of competition: the team challenge and the individual challenge.
In the team challenge this year, teams were tested on their knowledge of neuroscience through problem-solving activities and brain teasers across seven rotating stations. Each challenge station sparked discussions, laughter, and some fierce intellectual competition.
The winning team was selected to move forward to the individual challenge, where the top performers went head-to-head.
2025 Queensland Brain Bee winners
In 2025, students from as far afield as Mareeba in North Queensland joined the Queensland Brain Bee challenge.
Congratulations to the 2025 winner, Alice Liang, from Brisbane State High School. Alice will now represent Queensland at the national Australian Brain Bee Challenge to compete against other state finalists.
The goal? A spot at the International Brain Bee Challenge, where students from around the world compete in the global neuroscience spotlight.
Second place went to Abigail Butler from St Margaret's Anglican Girls School and third to Grace He from Brisbane State High School.
Learning beyond the challenge
One of the event’s most inspiring moments occurred during a talk by QBI Professor Tom Burne, who explored how animal models are used in mental health research. Students were captivated by the real-world applications of neuroscience, which demonstrated how fundamental research translates into a better understanding and treatment of mental illness.
This year’s top three finalists not only gained recognition but also earned internship placements at QBI—a valuable opportunity to learn directly from leading neuroscientists.
QBI Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Drew Cylinder, who volunteered many hours to prepare for the event, explained that Brain Bee is meant to be more than a competition.
“The Brain Bee serves as a gateway for students to pursue further studies in science,” Dr Cylinder said.
“Every year, the Brain Bee Challenge sparks passion in students by introducing them to many possibilities in neuroscience that they may never have considered.”
Professor van Swinderen agreed. “We know that past Brain Bee participants have gone on to pursue neuroscience all the way to PhD level at The University of Queensland.
“That’s the kind of lasting impact this event can have,” Professor van Swinderen said.
“Even students who don’t go on to pursue science benefit from competing in the Brain Bee because they are learning about the organ that makes us human, knowledge they can apply in their daily lives.”
How can you get involved in the Brain Bee?
If you’re a student at a Queensland high school, please chat with your science teacher about joining the next Brain Bee. Teachers, please get in touch with Professor Bruno van Swinderen for details about registering your students.