Students Prepare to Submit Science Exhibit Ideas
Fourth and fifth graders are putting the finishing touches on their proposals for the Battle of the Brains competition. Battle of the Brains challenges students across the Kansas City area to design new, interactive exhibits that inspire visitors to explore STEM concepts in engaging, hands-on ways.
Since Battle of the Brains began in 2013, participation has more than doubled, with over 38,000 students submitting 4,500 proposals. The competition, sponsored by Burns & McDonnell in partnership with Science City, has led to the creation of eight new exhibits that help keep the museum’s displays current and exciting for visitors.
To inspire students as they wrap up their entries, former Burns & McDonnell CEO and Barstow grandparent Greg Graves visited fourth and fifth graders to share the history and purpose of the competition. He spoke about past winners, including his favorite, an exhibit called “Unplugged,” which includes a human-sized gerbil wheel that generates electricity. This exhibit replaced an outdated “kitchen of the future” exhibit which, due to the pace of technology, no longer reflected the future. Graves encouraged students to think not only about their ideas but also how to communicate and present them to others who can help bring their visions to life.
Students began working on their entries in September. They will complete and submit their proposals in early November, and finalists and winners will be announced and recognized in January and February.
