Kayleigh McCagg will represent the Rensselaer Chapter in the National Brain Bee Finals in Baltimore March 16-18.
Kayleigh McCagg, a student in Questar III’s New Visions: Scientific Research and World Health program at the University at Albany’s Health Sciences Campus and a Senior from Hudson City School District, will represent the International Brain Bee Organization’s Rensselaer Chapter at the Brain Bee National Championship in Baltimore, Maryland March 16-18.
McCagg won first place in the Rensselaer Chapter competition on February 13 competing against other students not only in her New Visions class, but also others from the Capital Region. After high school graduation, she plans to major in biology for pre-med with a minor in neuroscience research. Her brother’s diagnosis of epilepsy spurred her interest in studying the brain.
The Brain Bee competition consists of six areas of study, including analyzing the brain through MRI scans and diagnosing a simulated patient. McCagg says she feels prepared after attending last year’s regional Brain Bee.
“I am really looking forward to meeting other kids interested in the brain, but I’m also excited to challenge myself in the various areas of the competition,” McCagg said. She also credited the rigor of the New Visions program and the dedication of her teacher, Professor Ruth Russell with her success in the program.
Awards of $1,500, $1,000 and $500 will be given to the first, second and third place winners. Trophies will be given to the top 10 finishers. The 2018 USA Champion will then represent the United States in the World Championship that will be held in conjunction with the Convention of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies in Berlin, Germany in July. Currently, there are about 200 Brain Bee Chapters in about 40 countries in 6 continents.
The New Visions: Scientific Research and World Health class has participated in the Brain Bee for several years, often sending one of their own to the national competition. New Visions programs are rigorous, one-year programs for high school seniors consisting of college-level work, collaboration with professionals and in-depth, hands-on projects in a student’s chosen area of study.
