BIDDEFORD — For the third consecutive year, Maine high school students have tested their neuroscience knowledge at the Southern Maine Regional Brain Bee, hosted by the University of New England’s Center of Excellence in the Neurosciences.

A total of 19 students from Biddeford High School and Thornton Academy participated in the Brain Bee on Dec. 22, competing against each other to answer questions about the brain and nervous system.

Prior to the competition, UNE’s Center of Excellence K-12 Outreach Program led sheep brain dissections for the high schoolers, and students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine gave guided anatomy tours of human brain tissue samples.

Dr. Michael Burman, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, served as master of ceremonies for the Brain Bee.

This year’s competition went into four rounds of sudden death, with Alexandra Petermann from Biddeford High School winning first place.

Tied for second were Sarrah Marcotte and Camden Saucier, both from Biddeford High School.

UNE’s Center of Excellence faculty and students will help this year’s winners prepare for the upcoming Regional Brain Bee.

Organized by the Society for Neuroscience, the Brain Bee is a national quiz bowl for high school students. It is designed to promote brain awareness while motivating students to pursue careers in the neurosciences.

To learn more about the University of New England’s Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, visit www.une.edu/research/cen

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions