Stat Bee Quiz Competition 2025 : Fostering the Next Generation of Statisticians
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The second annual STAT BEE Quiz Competition was successfully organized by the Statistics and Computer Science Students’ Association and the Department of Statistics & Computer Science on the 29th of October 2025 at A11 201. This knowledge-based competition was designed to promote statistical awareness, analytical thinking, problem-solving and healthy academic competition among undergraduate students.
The event was supported through the wider collaboration between the University of Kelaniya, University College London (UCL) and the DIAGNOSE-DR project which is funded by VELUX STIFTUNG. The ACC, established through this collaboration with support from the DIAGNOSE-DR grant, contributed to the competition as part of its broader commitment to strengthening statistical and research capacity at the University of Kelaniya.
Developing undergraduates’ statistical knowledge, analytical reasoning, confidence and collaborative skills, through STAT BEE strengthens the foundation for future researchers and professionals at the University of Kelaniya. This initiative contributes to Work Package 6 of the DIAGNOSE-DR project, which focuses on strengthening research capability and capacity.
First- and second-year students were given an engaging opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of core statistical concepts. In addition to assessing technical knowledge, the competition encouraged teamwork, cross-year learning, confidence and academic motivation. It consisted of three progressive phases designed to evaluate participants' accuracy, speed, conceptual understanding and ability to apply statistical knowledge.
The Road to the Final: Three Challenging Phases
The Road to the Final: Three Challenging Phases
The competition began with the STAT BEE Starters Round, in which students from each academic year answered 12 true-or-false questions within 20 minutes. This initial round assessed their understanding of fundamental statistical concepts and served as the first stage of selection. Based on their performance, 50 students from each year progressed to the next stage.
The second phase, the STAT BEE Wizards Round, consisted of a 25-question multiple-choice assessment. Conducted separately for shortlisted first- and second-year students, this stage assessed deeper conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability. The 16 highest-performing students from each year advanced to the final stage.
The Final Challenge: Promoting Teamwork and Peer Learning
The Final Challenge: Promoting Teamwork and Peer Learning
In the final phase, the STAT BEE Sorcerers Round, the 32 finalists were assigned to eight mixed-year teams. Each team comprised two first-year and two second-year students. This structure was intentionally designed to promote cross-year cooperation, peer learning and the exchange of knowledge between students at different stages of their studies.
The final competition consisted of three rounds:
1. Individual True-or-False Round: Each team member answered one question, receiving five marks for a correct response.
2. Team Questions: Each team collectively answered two questions, receiving ten marks for each correct answer.
3. Buzzer-Based Contest: Teams competed to answer questions using newly developed physical buzzers. These replaced the virtual system used in 2024 and improved the fairness and accuracy of recording real-time responses.
Celebrating the STAT BEEs
Celebrating the STAT BEEs
Medals were awarded to the winning, first-runner-up, and second-runner-up teams in recognition of their achievements. All participants received certificates, while the finalists were also awarded merit passes, ensuring that every student who reached the final stage was recognised as a STAT BEE.
Supporting Sustainable Capacity Building at the University Level
Supporting Sustainable Capacity Building at the University Level
STAT BEE 2.0 provided a practical and engaging platform for strengthening statistical knowledge and analytical skills among undergraduate students in the Department of Statistics & Computer Science at the University of Kelaniya. It encouraged students to apply their knowledge, solve problems, work collaboratively, communicate effectively and perform confidently under pressure.
These competencies provide an important foundation for future training in research methods, data analysis, epidemiology, health economics and risk-prediction modelling. The competition, therefore, contributes to the capacity-building objectives of DIAGNOSE-DR Work Package 6 by supporting the development of statistically skilled and research-engaged students at the University of Kelaniya.
The involvement of the ACC demonstrates how the capacity established through the DIAGNOSE-DR-supported partnership is being translated into locally led, potentially sustainable activities at the departmental and university levels. The collaboration between the Department of Statistics & Computer Science, the Department of Statistics and Computer Science Students’ Association, the ACC, UCL, and the wider DIAGNOSE-DR partnership provides a foundation for continuing STAT BEE and for developing further opportunities for students to strengthen their statistical, analytical, and collaborative skills.
Together we’ve built momentum. Thank you, everyone, for making STAT BEE 2025 a success.
The hive is alive with talent. Until STAT BEE 2026, keep buzzing with ideas and innovation!
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