It was a war with less brawn and more brains.
Teams from across Nova Scotia clashed last months at the Discovery Centre’s second annual Brain War. Dal’s own "Deflate Gate" team, led by Matthew Chedrawe (Neuroscience), triumphed to bring the trophy home.
The students on the Deflate Gate team were Chedrawe, Paddy Quinn (Electrical Engineering), Callahan Murphy (Management) and Walter Jothiraj (Mechanical Engineering).
The event is designed to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in Nova Scotia communities, as well as the liberal arts. The event is unique in that it combines competitors from a variety of backgrounds: in addition to university students, high school students and private sector professionals also compete.
Challenging the best and brightest
“We bring some of the best brains together in a fun event and see what bubbles up,” explains Dov Bercovici, CEO and president of the Discovery Centre.
Teams of four compete in 25 stations, which were designed to test components of STEM and the liberal arts. Challenges included components such as music, engineering, math, computer technology and more.
“We had no idea whether high school, university and corporate could compete against each other on an equal playing field,” says Alex Chiasson, the lead organizer of the event. “But they can, and they all do incredibly well.”
In fact, for the second year in a row a high school team finished in second place.
“Part of the reason we put together Brain War was to shine a bright light on the best and brightest that we have in the region,” says Chiasson. “But we also connect the dots between high school students, who may go on to university, and then might go on to work at world class companies right here at home.”
Going beyond the battle
Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s University are to many, bitter rivals. But for at least one weekend of the year, they come together to co-sponsor the Brain War.
“It’s a credit to Dr. Dodds and Dr. Florizone,” Chiasson says. “And who better to sponsor the event like than universities?”
Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s were also contributors of the many volunteers that is took to run the event. These students were, “With me every step of the way,” says Chiasson. “They were doing social media, judging and leading teams, they were phenomenal.”
For now, the Brain War is a Nova Scotia only experience, promoting STEM and the liberal arts within the province.But organizers are already envisioning a national event, where teams compete within their own provinces before moving on to a championship in the country’s capital.
If the Brain War looks like your kind of challenge, registration for teams of four in next year’s war has already opened. If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, Chiasson says: “We look at volunteers early and often.There are a lot of moving parts that we need help with, and you’ll have a blast to boot!”
Learn more at brainwar.ca