Way to go Canada!

Our very own Lisa Wei placed SECOND at the 2024 International Brain Bee!
Congratulations on your phenomenal performance Lisa!

To Learn more about Lisa‘s journey with the Brain Bee, click the following links!
– “Winnipegger one of the best in Brain Bee” – CTV News Winnipeg (Video)
– “Winnipeg teenager finishes second in international competition” – CTV News Winnipeg (Article)
– “Neuroscience on her brain” – The Free Press (Article)
– “2024 IBB World Championship | Award Ceremony” – International Brain Bee (Video)
– “2024 IBB World Championship | Podium Round” – International Brain Bee (Video)

The Canadian National Brain Bee is a neuroscience competition for high school students, grades 9 through 12. Students study brain and neuroscience research topics including memory, sleep, intelligence, emotion, perception, stress, aging, brain imaging, neurology, neurotransmitters, genetics, brain disease, and more. To compete in the Canadian National, students must first compete in a regional brain bee competition in Canada. The top place winner of each official regional brain bee will advance to the Canadian National level of competition. Finally, the top place champion of the Canadian National Brain Bee will advance to the next level of competition: the International Brain Bee.

Where and When:  The 2025 Canadian National Brain Bee competition will be hosted in two exciting phases. Regional brain bee winners will be invited to compete in the first phase, which will be held virtually on Friday, April 25, 2025. The top 3 competitors from the first phase will win travel and accommodation to compete in the second phase of the Canadian National: the Final Showdown, which will be held in person at the 2025 Canadian Association for Neurosciences annual meeting in Toronto from May 21-24, 2025 (exact time and date TBA).

Study Resources:  Study materials for the Canadian National Brain Bee competition will be outlined on the Preparing for the National page. Please note that study resources may differ for your own local brain bee. Please check with your local brain bee organizers.

Prizes for the Canadian National Brain Bee:  At the Canadian National Brain Bee, there will be cash prizes ($1500, $1000, and $500 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively) and trophies for the top 3 competitors, as well as engraved medals for all competitors. The top place National champion will also receive an opportunity for an internship in a neuroscience lab.

International Brain bee: The Canadian National champion will represent Canada at the International Brain Bee competition. In 2024 the IBB will be virtual; tentative dates are September 27 to October 5 2024. The top 5 2024 IBB winners will travel to Boston in 2025 to attend the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). More information on the dates for the 2025 International Brain Bee to come!

How to complete in the Brain Bee? The first step – study and register for your Local Brain Bee competition:
To compete at the National level, you must first win your local brain bee competition. Your 2025 local brain bee competition may be held remotely or in person. Please check your local brain bee page to find information about registration, date, location, and study materials. If your local brain bee page is not yet updated, you can send an email to your local organizers at the email address listed on the local brain bee page.

Note that any Brain Bee tutoring we offer in Canada as well as the International Brain Bee is free of charge. We are aware that there are other organizations and individuals asking for money for “Brain Bee” courses and tutoring.  Please note that these are not in any way associated or endorsed by the Canadian National Brain Bee or the International Brain Bee.  Interested students should be encouraged to make use of any free available resources.

Please read some important information about who can compete in the Canadian National Brain Bee.

Check out our highlights from previous years under the History and Photos menu at the top of this page.