Rochester Brain Bee

Rochester Brain Bee Logo

The Brain Bee is a neuroscience competition sponsored by local Society for Neuroscience chapters and open to any currently enrolled high schools in the area. High school students compete in local competitions for the chance to represent their local chapter at the national level and the international level.

The Rochester Brain Bee was established in 2017 with participants representing high schools from Rochester and surrounding suburbs.

If you or a student you know are interested in participating in next year's Rochester Brain Bee or would like more information, please contact us at RochesterBrainBee@gmail.com.


2024 Brain Bee

Saturday, February 17

The University of Rochester Brain Awareness Campaign (BAC) is holding our seventh annual Brain Bee for students in grades 9-12! The date is Saturday, February 17, 2024.

The Brain Bee is a competition for students who want to represent their schools and challenge themselves to learn about the science of the brain. These competitions are sponsored by the international Society for Neuroscience, and thousands of students around the world will compete locally to be their region’s champion. Our previous winners include students from Pittsford-Sutherland, Pittsford-Mendon, Webster Thomas, Our Lady of Mercy, and Brighton High Schools.

This friendly competition will cover topics such as anatomy, memory, sensory systems, sleep, neurodegenerative diseases, and addiction. Here are some details about the Brain Bee:

  • The Brain Bee is free for all high school students and will be hosted by the University of Rochester in person, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on  Saturday February 17, 2024.
  • The Brain Bee will be judged by a panel of neuroscientists, including at least two professors from the University of Rochester.
  • The winner of the Rochester Brain Bee will represent us at the National Brain Bee competition. 
  • Students can practice for the Brain Bee by reviewing the material in the book Brain Facts (free to download at http://www.brainfacts.org/About-Neuroscience/Brain-Facts-book) as well as other study material we will provide upon registration.

Register Online

2024 Brain Bee flyer.


2022 Rochester Brain Bee

2022 Rochester Brain Bee participants.

Congratulations to Shuwen Ding, a sophomore from Pittsford Sutherland High School, on becoming the 2022 Rochester Brain Bee Champion!


2021 Rochester Brain Bee

2021 Rochester Brain Bee participants.

Despite our first virtual competition, ​seven Rochester high school students competed in the 2021 Rochester Brain Bee. Congratulations to Olivia Storti, a junior from Our Lady Mercy School, on becoming the 2021 Rochester Brain Bee Champion!


2020 Rochester Brain Bee

2020 Rochester Brain Bee Contestants.

Congratulations to Scott Schleede, a senior from Webster Thomas High School, on becoming the 2020 Rochester Brain Bee Champion! Due to a scheduling conflict, our second place winner, Feteha Upal, a freshman from Pittsford Sutherland High School, represented us at the 2020 National Brain Bee!


 2019 Rochester Brain Bee

2019 Rochester Brain Bee contestants.

Congratulations to Emily Han, a junior from Brighton High School, who was the winner of our 3rd annual Rochester Brain Bee!


2018 Rochester Brain Bee

2018 Rochester Brain Bee participants.

Congratulations to Brian Lin, a junior from Brighton High School, who won our 2nd annual Rochester Brain Bee!


2017 Rochester Brain Bee

2017 Rochester Brain Bee participants.

The winner of our very first Rochester Brain Bee was Neli Kotlyar, a sophomore from Pittsford Mendon High School!


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the format of the Rochester Brain Bee?

A: We will have three rounds with multiple choice, fill in the blanks, and anatomy questions. Each student will answer each question and the winner will have the highest score at the end of the final round.

Q: How do I study for the Rochester Brain Bee?

A: We will contact you once you sign up with study materials from the International Competition. You can email us with questions at any time at RochesterBrainBee@gmail.com.

Q: Who can participate?

A: Anyone in high school can participate in our competition. If you have participated before, you can try again as long you weren’t our winner.

Q: What is the time commitment?

A: Our competition is 3 hours on a Saturday. We recommend you give yourself at least two weeks to study after school, but the amount of time you commit is up to you.

Q: How much does it cost to participate?

A: This competition is completely free. Thanks to our generous donors, we will have snacks available for participants and parents, and the winner will receive airfare and hotel costs for themselves and a guardian during the national competition.