Brain Awareness Week – LearningRx | LearningRx BlogBrain Awareness Week (BAW) this March 14 – 20 is the worldwide campaign to increase awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. One of the many global events scheduled during this 16th annual BAW is the National Brain Bee at the University of Maryland, Baltimore on March 18 and 19. The Bee is designed to stimulate high school students to learn about neuroscience with the lofty goal of inspiring them to go on to serve the world as brain researchers. Like spelling bees, kids first compete at the local level, and then move on to the national and international competition. The high school contestants answer questions about electroencephalographs, dendrites, peptides, positron emission topography, netrins and semaphorins, and much more. One of the study guides is the 74-page 2008 edition of Brain Facts, published by The Society for Neuroscience. Looking for a shorter update on some of the most important brain facts? Check out the LearningRx Brain Awareness Quiz. LearningRx created the fun and informative quiz in hopes that people will learn – and share – some of the most important things researchers have already discovered and proven about the brain. Much of the quiz focuses on the brain’s amazing ability to change and improve at any age. LearningRx helps brains change every day! A study of test results for more than 2,500 LearningRx students from 2009 shows LearningRx brain training brought significant improvement, with students gaining an average of 15 IQ points. LearningRx Vice President of Research and Development Tanya Mitchell says this remains one of the most important messages to spread during Brain Awareness Week. “People need to know they don’t have to settle for the mental capacity they’re born with. Strengthening cognitive skills leads to a smarter, faster, more efficient brain, a higher IQ, and all the benefits that tend to go along with it: more confidence, a competitive edge in school or the job market and eventually, a higher-paying career.” And it’s even better if that career ends up being that of a world-serving brain researcher. Want to learn more about the brain this Brain Awareness Week? Start by taking our Brain Awareness Quiz!