The battle is Underway
Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains is back for its eighth competition cycle this fall! Do your students have the next big idea for an exhibit at Science City?
KEY DATES
WHAT IS BATTLE OF THE BRAINS?
Inspired by kids, built by Burns & McDonnell. It’s Kansas City’s most exciting K-12 STEM competition — Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains. Metro area schools can earn a grant for STEM education by dreaming up an exhibit concept for Science City — and one student team sees its idea come to life in a big way! It’s a fantastic, no-cost experience for students and teachers — thinking big, exploring new things, collaborating and having fun. So far, more than 38,000 students have benefited from this immersive educational opportunity. Battle of the Brains operates on a two-year cycle: one for competition and one for exhibit build-out.
Now Open: Light Lab @ Science City
Waves within the electromagnetic spectrum are used for all sorts of things, from listening to music to taking X-ray pictures and more. These invisible waves sparked the idea for Light Lab from Delta Woods Middle School students, winner of the grand prize in the 2023-24 Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition. Their exhibit is now open at Science City.
About Us
Burns & McDonnell Foundation
The drive to strengthen communities is the heartbeat of Burns & McDonnell, in our work and with the Burns & McDonnell Foundation. We’ve invested more than $10 million in STEM grant programs because, for us, the opportunity to light a spark for STEM in a kid’s life is pretty amazing. Battle of the Brains is the biggest part of that.
The Partnership
For the employee-owners of Burns & McDonnell and Science City, it’s in our DNA to inspire a passion for STEM in the next generation. Our vision and mission is to encourage these future leaders to push beyond their expectations — to dream big, plan smart and take initiative.