Showcasing neuroscience talent and strengthening the STEM pipeline across Australasia is strengthened by assistance from UWA Researcher, Professor Jenny Rodger.
The Australian Brain Bee Challenge continues to be one of the region’s most inspiring gateways into neuroscience, inviting high school students to explore the mysteries of the brain, discover research pathways and gain a deeper understanding of neurological and mental health. Open to Year 10 students in Australia and Year 11 students in New Zealand, the competition is free and designed to broaden participation in STEM while dispelling common misconceptions about the field. In 2025, thousands of students engaged in online and regional rounds, culminating in the highly anticipated national finals on 16 November.
This year’s finalists earned their place through an intensive series of online and face-to-face competitions before embarking on a 10-week deep dive into neuroscience with Prof Charles Watson and Dr Matt Kirkcaldie. Their learning journey included webinars, assessments and a challenging two-hour written exam covering neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neurology.
The national finals concluded with a live Q&A, where students demonstrated remarkable insight and scientific reasoning. Congratulations to the 2025 National Champions – New Zealand’s Nakisha Wood (North Island) and Australia’s Alice Liang (Queensland), who will go on to represent their countries at the International Brain Bee next year. Their achievements build on strong regional success, including WA’s Sam Richards winning the global title in 2024 and NSW’s Tiffany Yi placing third in 2025.
The competition is coordinated nationally by Professor Jenny Rodger (UWA), Prof Bruno van Swinderen (UQ) and Dr Matt Kirkcaldie (UTas), and supported by the Australasian Neuroscience Society and Education Perfect. As the Brain Bee continues to grow, organisers are actively seeking sponsors to ensure its long-term sustainability and to keep nurturing the next generation of neuroscientists.
More information is available at the Australasian Neuroscience Society website: https://www.ans.org.au/meetings-events/australia-brain-bee-challenge.
