BRITISH NEUROSCIENCE OLYMPIAD

British Brain Bee 2021: National Neuroscience Competition Goes Virtual in Response to COVID-19

Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, the National British Brain Bee 2021 proved that curiosity, intellect, and passion for neuroscience can’t be quarantined. Held entirely online for the first time in its history, this year’s competition brought together some of the brightest young minds in the UK to test their knowledge of the human brain—and engage in some serious neuron-level rivalry.

Hosted on March 20, 2021, the event featured a dynamic schedule packed with rigorous exams and inspiring sessions, including:

• An MCQ-based knowledge exam
• A challenging patient diagnosis round
• A Neuroanatomy and Neurohistology practical
• A live Q&A showdown for the top 10 finalists
• Inspirational talks with former Brain Bee competitors
• A “Meet a Neuroscientist” segment offering real-world insights into careers in neuroscience

“This was our first fully virtual national event—and honestly, it rocked,” said Martyna Petrulyte, National Coordinator of the British Brain Bee. “The students were incredibly engaged, the volunteers were phenomenal, and despite the distance, the sense of community was stronger than ever.”

The transition online didn’t dampen the competitive spirit or the educational impact. With participants Zooming in from across the UK, the event also marked a step forward in making science competitions more accessible and inclusive.

Photos from the day capture students focused in their digital labs, judges deliberating, and finalists locking horns in the rapid-fire Q&A. While there were no handshakes this year, there was no shortage of brainpower and excitement.

The British Brain Bee continues to empower students with a deeper understanding of the brain and foster the next generation of neuroscientists. The winners of the 2021 competition are now preparing to represent the UK in the Brain Bee Championship later this year.

The winners of the National British Brain Bee 2021 are:

1st place Aviral Batra

2nd place Masha Sychevskaya

3rd place Aleksandra Tracichleb & Sasha Lisitsyna

4th place Kaja Posnik

5th place Jess Kerbiriou & Maja Olma