Abstract
Background
The science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields are often underrepresented due to lack of interest or exposure. The Brain Bee is a neuroscience competition for high school students meant to inspire future leaders in the neurosciences. A regional Brain Bee competition hosted in West Virginia was led by medical students and neurology residents with the goal of increasing high school student interest in the neurosciences.
Activity
The West Virginia Brain Bee competition consisted of a neuroanatomy practical, a written exam, and a clinical assessment. Other fun neuroscience educational activities were also offered to students throughout the competition day. Students were surveyed before and after the competition day.
Results
Student interest in pursuing a neuroscience career increased (3.24 to 3.58, p = 0.043), and confidence in neuroscience knowledge increased (2.88 to 3.12, p = 0.036). Qualitative assessment revealed the importance of role models and a supportive environment for student learning.
Conclusion
The West Virginia Brain Bee increased high school student interest in and confidence of neuroscience knowledge. This competition may be a meaningful way to connect high school students with potential mentors in the neurosciences and may also help foster an interest in pursuing a career in the neurosciences in the future.
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JF responsible for conceptualization, data collection, statistical analysis, writing of the first draft, and major revisions; QV responsible for conceptualization, data collection, and major revisions; JK responsible for data collection and major revisions; VM responsible for data collection and major revisions; AA responsible for data collection and major revisions.
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Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from West Virginia University prior to initiation of the research surveys.
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Informed consent was obtained from the participants involved with permission from the teachers or parents who chaperoned the high school students to the competition.
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As part of the informed consent process, participants were informed that deidentified data may be published.
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Frey, J., Vo, Q., Kramer, J. et al. Impact of Early Introduction to the Neurosciences on West Virginia High School Students via the Brain Bee. Med.Sci.Educ. 31, 1601–1605 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021-01347-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021-01347-2