News and Announcements
Audeo 12th Grader Wins San Diego Brain Bee
Omar Shahrior, a senior from Audeo Charter School, competed with 45 students from 23 local high schools and came out the winner of the second San Diego Regional Brain Bee Competition held at The Neurosciences Institute on Saturday, January 30th, 2010.
Omar will go on to represent the San Diego area at the National Brain Bee Competition to be held on March 19th and 20th, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.The Brain Bee is a live Q&A competition which tests students’ knowledge of brain function and dysfunction, physiology and chemistry. The Neurosciences Institute’s goal is to motivate local youth to learn about the brain, capture their imagination and inspire them to pursue careers in biomedical brain research. Shahrior took home a trophy and a $500 gift certificate to the UCSD bookstore, and will also receive 2 round-trip tickets to the National Competition.
Shahrior, 15, is currently a senior at Audeo Charter School. An exceptional student, Shahrior will complete high school in three years and head to college this fall with the long-term goal of becoming a doctor. Shahrior sought out Audeo’s independent study program to enable him to have flexible scheduling. “Audeo gives me the option to open up my schedule, allowing me the time to pursue my interests,” Shahrior said. “I’m able to spend time studying for things like the Brain Bee, attend college courses at Mesa College, and tutor other students in math and science.”
Audeo Charter School is a public school option for students in grades 6-12 who want something different than the traditional school model. Audeo provides students the opportunity to have flexible scheduling that permits them to cultivate a variety of interests—all while receiving a rigorous, high quality education. Students work from individualized academic plans and meet with their teacher 2 to 5 times per week. Students’ needs, interests, and styles of learning are taken into consideration as personalized education plans are developed. "My teachers have been really supportive, especially encouraging me to participate in events like the Brain Bee, and have tailored my education plan to fit my goals" Shahrior said. Audeo's implementation includes a successful model of collaborative learning, teaching across the curriculum, self-paced lessons, and year-round open enrollment based on a university model that students find attractive.
“We are proud of Omar’s exceptional accomplishment and are pleased to provide an option for students who pursue a variety of unique career ambitions,” said Mary Searcy Bixby, Chairperson of the Board at Audeo Charter School. For more information on Audeo, which is currently enrolling new students, visit www.audeocharterschool.net.
The Brain Bee was sponsored by Life Technologies, The Thomas C. Ackerman Foundation, The Neurosciences Institute, the San Diego Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience, and the UCSD Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center. For more information visit www.sandiegobrainbee.com.
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