Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oregon Brain Bee?
The Oregon Brain Bee is a neuroscience competition for high school students ages 14-18. It aims to inspire and encourage young minds to explore the brain and the field of neuroscience. The winner will represent Oregon at the USA National Brain Bee.
Do you need any prior experience to participate?
No prior experience is necessary! The competition is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all high school students ages 14-18. Whether you’ve just discovered neuroscience or have been studying it for years, we provide resources to help you prepare and succeed.
Who is eligible to participate?
Students must be:
Ages 14-18 on the day of the competition.
Enrolled in high school (or equivalent) in the United States.
Participants may only compete in one Local Brain Bee per school year and can compete in the International Brain Bee Championship only once.
How do I register?
To register, fill out the Registration Form. The registration deadline is Saturday, March 1st, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST.
What is the competition format?
The Oregon Brain Bee consists of two stages:
Written Exam: Participants will answer questions on various neuroscience topics.
Live Q&A: The top 9 scorers will advance to a game-show-style round, open to public viewing, where their answers will be scored by a panel of neuroscience experts.
The winner will qualify for the USA National Brain Bee.
Where and when will the competition take place?
The competition will be held in person sometime in March in Portland, OR. Specific details regarding venue, timing, etc., will be emailed to registered participants closer to the event date.
What topics should I study?
Download and study the Brain Facts textbook published by the Society for Neuroscience and the Neuroscience: Science of the Brain textbook.
Furthermore, reviewing general neuroscience topics and practicing Q&A formats can also be helpful.
What additional activities are included?
In addition to the competition, participants and attendees can enjoy:
Keynote lectures by prominent neuroscientists.
Q&A panel for students and parents with neuroscientists and healthcare professionals.
Neuroscience demonstrations by students and faculty from OHSU.
Can my family and friends attend?
Yes! The live Q&A stage of the competition and the additional activities are open to the public.
What do I win?
The winner of the Oregon Brain Bee will advance to the USA National Brain Bee to compete against winners from other states.
Who organizes the Oregon Brain Bee?
The Oregon Brain Bee is organized by a team of high school neuroscience enthusiasts collaborating with local universities and research institutions, including OHSU.
I have more questions. Who can I contact?
For additional information or assistance, please email us at info@oregonbrainbee.com.
We look forward to seeing you at the competition!