Brain Bee Round 2 – Carmel’s Milestone Success

The brain is one of the most mysterious and important organs in the human body, and our team of 10 Year 11 girls set out to explore its complex workings by participating in the 2025 Brain Bee Competition.

After a successful Round 1, students Emma Chen, Keira Cocks, Isabella Foster, Bernie Hoyo Gibson, Aimee Kim, Amber Lynch, Loretta Kako, Juliana Lee, Michelle Warner, and Nakisha Wood were invited to compete in Round 2 at the University of Auckland School of Medical and Health Sciences. Following the Round 2 individual assessment, student Nakisha Wood was elected to participate in the final Individual Round of the Brain Bee North Island Competition. 

On Wednesday, 25th of June, the 10 students –accompanied by Ms Mistry– set out to compete in the Team qualifying round for Round 2, and to support the participants of the Individual round. The team competition was carried out in teams of four. Carmel Team 4 consisting of Juliana Lee, Keira Cocks, Nakisha Wood and Bernie Hoyo Gibson came second in the North Island Team Finals and the other two teams placed a respectable 11th and 12th place - a great achievement considering there were over 40 teams and 337 students there from all over the North Island. 

A special congratulations to Nakisha Wood for placing first in the Individual Finals of the North Island Brain Bee competition! Her dedication and resilience throughout the event were truly remarkable and undoubtedly led to her receiving her well-deserved victory in the competition.

Throughout the day there were also questions for spot prizes won by Emma Chen, Keira Cocks, and Nakisha Wood for their great answers. Additionally, students Nakisha Wood and Bernie Hoyo Gibson were awarded internships for the Centre for Brain Research, sponsored by the Neurological Foundation. 

With their inspiring passion for neuroscience and words of mutual encouragement, the girls who participated in the Brain Bee competition truly did justice to Carmel College and were faithful representatives of our Mercy Values. Between the different North Island Schools, there was a competitive yet healthy environment, surrounded by the deep respect amongst participants due to recognising the hard work and dedication it took to get to the competition in the first place.

Moreover, a tour of the University’s facilities and several speeches surrounding the topic of brain research were given, guided by inspired scientists passionate about igniting a spark of curiosity for neuroscience in the next generations. Amongst the tours, there were lab visits in which students actively took part in a genetics lab to identify Huntington’s disease and Human Anatomy Lab visits where organs, muscles and bones of every part of the body and with hundreds of different pathologies, could be observed and studied. Furthermore, the students were introduced to several young and experienced scientists who are currently carrying out research to improve present issues in our health, ranging from ways to solve spinal cord injuries to using progesterone to manage epilepsy in women. 

On several occasions, it was proved how scientific minds gather knowledge from different areas– mathematics, biology, computing and human behaviour– and incorporate them to provide a solution for humanity. Thus, our Carmel girls were provided with valuable insights on different scientific careers and had broadened their perspectives on careers in Health Sciences, now aware of how to make a lasting impact on the people who need help: research for new solutions. 

Naturally, none of this could have been possible without the support of all the student coaches, Yu Na Lim, Polly Walker and Alisha Gonsalves, who guided our efforts and helped us gain these wonderful results, constantly providing us with tips and material which would be of tremendous help during the competition. A special thanks to Ms Mistry, who informed us of the competition in the first place, and who came along with us, further proving her supporting spirit and recognition of the efforts made by the students to participate. Without them, Carmel would not have had the outstanding results it did at the North Island Brain Bee competition. 

Overall, the Brain Bee North Island competitions encouraged our students to push their limits and expand their horizons in the neuroscience field– and their efforts weren’t short of a reward. With cheerful spirits and a willingness to learn, they were true testimonies to what excellence in academia is all about: curiosity, commitment, and achievement of high standards. 

Article by Bernie Hoyo Gibson