Instructions for registering for the Los Angeles 2026 Brain Bee can be found on our Registration Page. Please register for the Brain Bee using this form by February 7th, 2026 at 11:59pm PST.
How do I register?
Who can participate?
All students ages 14-18 (on the day of the competition) in the United States may participate this year in the Los Angeles 2026 Brain Bee.When and where will the Los Angeles Brain Bee be held?
The Los Angeles 2026 Brain Bee will be held at the University of Southern California (USC) in the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute. Students must be able to attend the live competition in Pacific Standard Time on Saturday, February 21st, 2025. Please see below for the full address of the event:Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute – Health Science Campus
Herklotz Conference Room ZNI 112
1501 San Pablo St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
What is the format of the Brain Bee?
The first portion of the competition will be via an exam based on various neuroscience topics. The top 9 scorers will proceed to the next stage, where they will be expected to answer questions live in a game board-style Q&A. The second stage is open for public viewing. The responses will be scored by a panel of judges, and one winner will proceed to the USA National Brain Bee competition. We will send further details to registered participants at a later date.What is the schedule of the Brain Bee?
8:30 am – 9:00 am Check-In and Continental Breakfast (30 minutes)
9:00 am – 9:15 am Introductions (15 minutes)
9:15 am – 10:00 am Written Exam (45 minutes)
10:00 am – 10:15 am Break (15 minutes)
10:15 am – 11:15 am Demonstrations (60 minutes)
11:15 am – 12:00 pm Lunch (45 minutes)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Keynote presentation (60 minutes)
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm Break (15 minutes)
1:15 pm – 2:00 pm Jeopardy (45 minutes)
3:00 pm – 3:45 pm Professional Panel (45 minutes)
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm Awards (15 minutes)
Why should I participate?
By participating, students learn about the brain and its vital function in our lives. They gain an appreciation for neuroscience that might one day inspire them to become neurologists or neuroscientists who treat and conquer the very diseases covered in the Brain Bee. Participation could also be included on job and college applications and each participant will receive a certificate for their efforts.How can I prepare for the Brain Bee?
Download and study Brain Facts, published by the Society for Neuroscience, and Neuroscience: Science of the Brain.Do I need to study anything other than the two books (Brain Facts, and Neuroscience: The Science of the Brain)?
No, all questions will come from these two books.What happens if I win?
The winner of the Los Angeles Brain Bee will be invited to participate in the National Brain Bee. More information about competition at the national level can be found here.