The Department of Biological Sciences Special Events
 

2012 Alaska Brain Bee

Brain Bee

Students in Caroline Wilson’s Biology A490 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysioloy course hosted the first ever Alaskan Brain Bee on Saturday, Mar 31 in the UAA Fine Arts building.  The International Brain Bee is a competition where high school students learn brain facts and then participate in a spelling-bee like event (see: http://www.internationalbrainbee.com).  Six local high schools participated, and the students and their parents enjoyed a luncheon with a poster presentation by the BIOL A490 students. Sponsored by the UAA Center for Community Engagement and Learning (CCEL) and WWAMI School of Medical Education, the BIOL A490 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology course was designed with a community engagement focus, the Brain Bee being the central outreach component. Some of the students at the event are pictured above (from Left to right): Sean Costello, Shea Lowery, Caroline Wilson (organizer), Christian Montana, Erin O’Brien, Nick Markadakis, Michelle Warren, Brett Normandin, and Daniel Harper. Not pictured, but also assisting with the event or completing outreach at Polaris K-12 school are: Jared Brooks, Nathanael Ray, Dana Patton, Emerson White, Michael Walleri, David Phipps, Christopher Dahl, Michelle Kanosh, Michael Stevenson, Melvin Caldwell, Kiana Farr, Amanda Shoup, Courtney Tanaka, Audrey Rutz, Kenneth Shin, Jack Degenstein, Anastasia Khadjinova, Ann Jennings, Gavin Bryant, and Rudy Atencio.

Below is a picture of BIOL A490 student, Daniel Harper presenting his poster on Stroke.

D Harper

Two of the winners of the Brain Bee are below: Natalie Hearn, Family Partnership Charter School, 1st place, and Stephen Kranich, West High School, 3rd place.

Brain Bee 2

Brain Bee participants, 2012: (Back row): Dr. Gwen Lupfer (UAA Psychology, judge), Anna Jenkins (Service), Rochelle Benton-Edwards (East), Dr. Timothy Hinterberger (WWAMI School of Medical Education, Judge), Michele Alexander (East), Dr. Caroline Wilson (Biological Sciences, Judge, Organizer). Front row: Jordan Alexander (East), Natalie Hearns (Family Partnership Charter School), Sherrie Yang (Polaris), and Stephen Kranich (West). Not pictured: Kylie Moore (Dimond, 2nd place winner).

Brain Bee 3