MEDIA ROOM: Not Your Typical School Science Project

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Not your typical school science project: High School Students Address Safety in Sports by Helping Lead Concussion Study

Study published in Scientific Reports shows high-impact sports result in significantly delayed cognitive responses in female and male athletes

Mill Bay, British Columbia, Canada (May 26, 2025) – A neuroscience study led in part by high school students at Brentwood College School has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports. The research focuses on the effects of subconcussive impacts in high school sports—hits to the head that don’t cause diagnosed concussions but may still affect brain function over time.

Brentwood students, part of the school’s BRAIN (Brentwood Research Action & Innovation in Neuroscience) club, worked alongside leading brain health researchers from across Canada and the U.S., including specialists at Simon Fraser University, Mayo Clinic, Columbia University, and the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Using portable brain-scanning technology, the study measured cognitive brain function in 89 high school athletes across 231 scans. Results showed that athletes in high-contact sports (such as hockey, rugby, and soccer) had significantly delayed cognitive and auditory responses compared to peers in low-contact sports (such as rowing, tennis, and track and field).

Importantly, this study was the first of its kind to compare brain impacts between female and male high school athletes. While both groups showed changes, female athletes had significantly larger disruptions in attention and cognitive processing, raising critical questions about sports safety and gender-specific health outcomes.

“This is not your typical high school science project,” said Dr. Ryan D’Arcy, the study’s senior author, Brentwood alum, and a professor at Simon Fraser University. “These students worked on a world-class research project with internationally renowned clinicians and scientists—and proved just how much young minds can accomplish.”

The project began in September 2021 under the mentorship of retired Brentwood science teacher David McCarthy. Today, the BRAIN club continues under Science Technician Lily Stewart and has completed nearly 500 brain scans involving more than 180 Brentwood students.

“They were involved in every aspect—from inception and data collection to analysis and final reporting,” said McCarthy, who is also a co-author of the study. “This shows what’s possible when young scientists are given the tools and mentorship to thrive.”

The students used the NeuroCatch® Platform, a portable EEG device, to record brainwave responses to sound stimuli before and after sports seasons. The scans helped reveal changes in sensory, attentional, and cognitive brain function linked to subconcussive impacts.

Student participants say the project helped clarify their future aspirations.

“I’m a really big STEM girl and I want to pursue a career in medicine,” said Grade 11 student Nana Li. “This gave me a chance to explore neuroscience and collaborate with like-minded peers.”

“Not many high school students get to do research that actually helps people,” added Grade 12 student Jayden Ng. “It’s hands-on training for university and beyond.”

The published study is available through Scientific Reports. Meanwhile, Brentwood’s BRAIN team continues its research—exploring whether summer break allows for brain recovery, how different sports affect the brain, and what treatment options may lie ahead.

Two former Brentwood students, Laila Reed and Zander Levenberg, also shared the team’s findings at a Brentwood TEDx event.

The study was co-authored in collaboration with scientists and clinicians from institutions including Simon Fraser University, HealthTech Connex, Sanford Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Columbia University, and the Atria Academy of Science and Medicine.

About Brentwood College School

Brentwood is a progressive, co-ed boarding school for Grades 8 to 12 located on a spectacular oceanfront campus on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada. Brentwood provides a modern, West Coast learning experience for globally minded students who embrace our values of grit and joy. Student choice is a unique part of our culture and a deciding factor in who attends the School. This creates a supportive community of students from over 50 countries who gain the independence and skills to succeed in the post-secondary world. www.brentwood.ca

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Media contact:

Erin Coulson, Brentwood Manager of Marketing and Communications: 250-252-3438, erin.coulson@brentwood.ca