Art comp teaches primary school kids about the brain

Primary school students around Australia are being encouraged to learn about the brain through a national art competition that will be judged by some of Australia’s leading brain researchers.

Prizes on offer include up to $1000 in teaching aids for the winning students’ schools and the competition is a great way for children to learn about brain science using their imagination.

The annual art competition is held by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function (Brain Function CoE), which is a national collaboration of brain researchers from universities around Australia.

Students can enter individually or as a combined school or class effort. Their artworks must be inspired by the theme: ‘My brain helps me to…’ Artworks must fit on A4 size paper and students can use either pens, pencils, crayons, textas or paint.

After the competition closes on 16 April 2021, the entries will be shortlisted and then judged by Brain Function CoE researchers.

The competition is judged in different year level categories. Among the prizes, first place winning schools will receive a special visit (virtual or in-person) from young and enthusiastic brain researchers to present the prizes and deliver an age-appropriate interactive lesson about the brain to the winner’s class.

The competition is part of Brain Awareness Week (15–21 March), a global campaign to increase public awareness of brain research.

Full details about the competition can be found on the Brain Function CoE website: www.brainfunction.edu.au