Rachael Wiltshire from Samuel Marsden Collegiate in Wellington has been crowned individual Brain Bee Champion, while Auckland Grammar took out the team title.

The Brain Bee Challenge, which took place at The University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, was attended by more than 150 Year 11 students from Pompallier College in Northland to Scots College in Wellington.

Rachael Wiltshire kept her nerve to win the closely contested competition for the individual title. Apurva Kasture from Palmerston North Girls’ High and Angel Nurdjaja from Elim Christian College came second and third respectively.

The Auckland Grammar boys showed real dominance in the team final, pulling together to keep out runners up Massey High School. Palmerston North Girls' High School came in third, while Chilton St James School from Lower Hutt came fourth.

The CatWalk Trust sponsored the event and Trustee Pip McCarroll said the event was brilliant.

“Our organisation is dedicated to raising funds for research into a cure for spinal cord injury. We really believe a cure will be found and when you see the passion for neuroscience that these students have, it's easy to believe that this next generation of scientists might find the answer.”

Both the teams and individuals were tested on topics such as intelligence, memory, emotions, sensations, movement, stress, ageing, sleep, addiction, Alzheimer's and stroke.

The winners will now prepare to take on the best brains from the South Island and Australia’s six states at the Australia - New Zealand Brain Bee Challenge, which will be held as part of a large international neuroscience conference in Auckland early next year.

Organiser Professor Louise Nicholson said the 2010 Brain Bee Challenge was a great success.

"It was an exciting day, with the pressure of the competition off set by opportunities for teachers and students to talk to scientists at the University and take part in labs."

"Neuroscience is such a fascinating field of study and the Brain Bee gives both students and teachers first-hand experience of the exciting opportunities The University of Auckland can offer those with a real interest in neuroscience."

Sponsors

The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences was established in 1968 as The University of Auckland School of Medicine. Traditionally known for its training of doctors, the Faculty now offers a full range of health and biomedical science programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

During its 42-year history, the Faculty has developed a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. It is the only health care training institute in New Zealand to offer interprofessional learning across its undergraduate degrees, or to consider students' suitability for health care roles by including interviews as part of the selection process for a number of its degrees.

The Catwalk Trust - The CatWalk Trust is dedicated to raising funds to support the body of scientific opinion which says a cure for Spinal Cord Injury will be found. The Trust was founded in 2005 by Catriona Williams. Formerly one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders, she is now confined to a wheelchair following a riding accident in 2002.

See more details on the North Island 2010 competition.