Latest news with #highIQ
CBC
2 hours ago
- General
- CBC
N.S. boy, 6, who just joined Mensa started multiplying as a toddler
A six-year-old boy from Bedford, N.S., has gained membership into one of the world's most exclusive clubs. Elijah Kodzo Motey is one of 50 Nova Scotians who've been accepted into Mensa International, a high-IQ society for people who score in the top two per cent of standardized intelligence tests. "We are so proud, we're so excited," said his mother, Mercy Mutale Motey, in an interview. "I think we are still in shock in some ways." Elijah is the youngest of three children in his family. His parents said they started seeing clues of his intelligence early on. At the age of two, he would spell complicated words on the fridge with magnets. He taught himself to read and write as a toddler. At daycare, he would lead storytime — reading to his fellow young classmates. Math came naturally, too. "He would be doing three times tables — three, six, nine and 12. And he was like two years old," his mother said. "It was just remarkable to be able to watch." Mensa membership shoo-in The Moteys wanted to make sure they could provide Elijah with the resources and support he'd need as a gifted child, so they turned to Mensa. Since the non-profit organization only tests people who are 14 and older, Elijah's parents had him tested by a psychologist. Those results were sent to Atlantic Mensa, a chapter for members from Canada's East Coast. Elijah's father, Delali Motey, said he wasn't surprised that Elijah was accepted into the society. "Knowing how he was with math and his intelligence level, we were confident," he said. Favourite subjects include math, gym and reading Elijah attends an elementary school that falls under the province's French school board, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. His parents have a French language background and they try to speak at least two languages with their children at home. What does Elijah like most about school? "Math for solving questions," he said. "Gym for running around and the library for reading." At school, he added, "I can be smart and intelligent." Mensa 'not a bunch of snobs' Barry Schmidel, the Atlantic regional representative on the board of Mensa Canada, said the organization started as a way to provide a community for people "who are highly intelligent." "I have a peer group now that I wouldn't have had before if I wasn't a member," he said. "I know people who may disagree with me politically or on social issues or whatever, but who I can have an intelligent conversation with." "We're not a bunch of snobs," he added. Elijah's mom said she believes it's important for parents to advocate for their children, no matter their skill level. She's in regular contact with the school's principal and vice-principal to make sure Elijah is challenged correctly. As for the future, she said it's too early to say what lies ahead for her son. "We really want him to explore what he loves and enjoys," she said. "He is so enthusiastic about the things that he enjoys and because of his skills he's able to pick up almost anything."
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Everyone can see the pearls, but you need the eyes of a hawk to spot the diamond in less than 10 seconds
HERE'S a puzzling brain teaser that will test your eyesight and intelligence. Everyone can see the pearls, but you will need the eyes of an eagle-eyed hawk to spot the diamond in less than 10 seconds. 2 The puzzle is made all the more difficult because the diamond is hidden among similar-shaped objects. It's nestled between small circles, large circles and even medium-sized ones. And also some shapes that look surprisingly like diamonds. Not easy. As well as a high IQ, you can boast to have laser-focused eyes if you pull this off. If you haven't been able to spot the diamond, you can scroll below to find out where it is. Certain brainteasers and optical illusions, particularly those that involve patterns or sequences, can help strengthen both short-term and long-term memory. 99 percent of people can't find the hidden objects in under 20 seconds - are you up to the challenge By working through puzzles on a regular basis, you will actively engage the brain's memory systems and directly improve your future attempts at visual challenges. Many brainteasers, like this one, require challengers thinking outside the box. This improves creative problem-solving skills by encouraging the brain to come up with innovative solutions. How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me? If you're after another brainteaser to challenge yourself, try this one - as apparently only those with a high IQ are able to find the heart hidden among the spring flowers. Or you can have a go at figuring out the hidden message in this band's cover art that has confused fans for years. Lastly, puzzle fanatics have been left scratching their heads trying to find the lost feather in just 12 seconds. It also translates to real-life situations where you might need to approach challenges in new and inventive ways. If you're after another brainteaser to challenge yourself, try this one - as apparently only those with a high IQ are able to find the heart hidden among the spring flowers. It also translates to real-life situations where you might need to approach challenges in new and inventive ways.
CBS News
28-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Mensa welcomes youngest-ever member, Joseph Harris-Birtill, a toddler from the U.K. who "loves a challenge
A two-year-old British boy has become the youngest ever member of Mensa, the exclusive club that only welcomes people with an IQ of 132 or above, according to Guinness World Records. Joseph Harris-Birtill, born on November 23, 2021, was admitted to the organization at the age of just two years and 182 days. "It soon became clear that he was an exceptional little being," Harris-Birtill's mother Rose told Guinness World Records. "He first rolled over at five weeks, said his first word at seven months, and read his first book out loud from cover to cover at one-and-three-quarter years." "He's learning morse code, knows the Greek alphabet, and has recently gotten interested in the periodic table," his mother said. "His interests are vast and varied, and he is always keen to learn more and loves a challenge." Harris-Birtill's parents — who both lecture at Scotland's prestigious University of St. Andrews — told Guinness they first decided to reach out to Mensa to find more support for Joseph after seeing how early he'd started reading. Joseph Harris-Birtill, born on November 23, 2021, of the U.K., has become the youngest ever member of Mensa, the exclusive club that only welcomes people with an IQ of 132 or above, according to Guinness World Records. Guinness World Records "I searched online for any further support available, and saw that Mensa offers resources and membership for highly able children," Rose told the organization. "We hope that this accomplishment can give him a sense of pride when he is older – it's a very unusual accolade and the credit is all his!" Harris-Birtill is 13 days younger than the youngest female member of Mensa was when she was admitted to the prestigious club. American Isla McNabb became the youngest member of Mensa in 2022 and held that overall title until Harris-Birtill came along. The tike has also, by default, taken the title of Britain's youngest Mensa member, topping Teddy Hobbs who achieved that rank at the age of just four in 2023. Rose, Harris-Birtill's mother, said she hoped sharing her son's story would help raise awareness about the unique needs of children like her son. "It is a common misconception that everything is super easy for gifted children. But everyone needs appropriate stimulation and understanding throughout their lives, and highly able learners can sadly have their unique talents dimmed by the pressure to fit into environments that simply haven't been properly designed for them," she told Guinness World Records. "Joseph is fortunate enough to attend a brilliant nursery and has an excellent music teacher, and in Mensa we hope to provide him with a community of peers as a source of further support as his formidable intellect continues to grow and develop."
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
British toddler, 2, becomes the youngest EVER Mensa member - after saying his first word at just seven months old
A British toddler has become the youngest ever member of Mensa - the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world. Joseph Harris-Birtill was officially welcomed into the elite club at the age of just 2 years and 182 days. To qualify for Mensa, you must have an IQ of at least 132, putting you in the top two per cent globally. The youngster impressed the society after saying his first word at just seven months old. 'It soon became clear that he was an exceptional little being,' explained his mother, Dr Rose Harris-Birtill. 'He first rolled over at five weeks, said his first word at seven months, and read his first book out loud from cover to cover at one-and-three-quarter years. 'By two-and-a-quarter years old he was reading out loud fluently for 10 minutes at a time, could count to 10 in five languages and could count forwards and backwards to well over 100.' Joseph is even younger than the youngest female Mensa member, Isla McNabb, who was 2 years 195 days old when she joined. Somewhat unsurprisingly, Joseph's parents, both 39, work in academic fields. His father, David, is a Senior Lecturer at the University of St Andrews, while Rose is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the same university and Editorial Director at the Open Library of Humanities. 'He's learning morse code, knows the Greek alphabet, and has recently gotten interested in the periodic table,' his mother explained. 'His interests are vast and varied, and he is always keen to learn more and loves a challenge.' Despite scoring at the 98th percentile, Joseph doesn't realise yet just how clever he really is, according to his parents. 'He is very kind and loving, confident and curious, and incredibly determined,' his mother said. 'He loves a challenge and is really exhilarated by complexity, whether learning chess or poring over new words and concepts that he hasn't come across before.' His parents decided to reach out to Mensa to get more support for Joseph, after it became clear how advanced his reading skills were. His parents decided to reach out to Mensa to get more support for Joseph, after it became clear how advanced his reading skills were 'I searched online for any further support available, and saw that Mensa offers resources and membership for highly able children,' Rose said. 'We hope that this accomplishment can give him a sense of pride when he is older – it's a very unusual accolade and the credit is all his!' Rose hopes Joseph's story will help to raise awareness about highly able learners. 'It is a common misconception that everything is super easy for gifted children,' she said. 'But everyone needs appropriate stimulation and understanding throughout their lives, and highly able learners can sadly have their unique talents dimmed by the pressure to fit into environments that simply haven't been properly designed for them. 'Joseph is fortunate enough to attend a brilliant nursery and has an excellent music teacher, and in Mensa we hope to provide him with a community of peers as a source of further support as his formidable intellect continues to grow and develop.' CAN YOU PASS A HIGH IQ TEST? TRY THESE MENSA QUESTIONS The following questions are taken from Mensa's online 'brain workout' and are similar to those in many IQ tests: Which same three-letter word can be placed in front of the following words to make a new word? SIGN, DONE, DUCT, FOUND, FIRM, TRACT, DENSE If you count from 1 to 100, how many 7's will you pass on the way? 10, 11, 19, 20, 21 There are 1200 elephants in a herd. Some have pink and green stripes, some are all pink and some are all blue. One third are pure pink. Is it true that 400 elephants are definitely blue? Yes or No 2 3 5 7 11 13 ? 14,15, 16, 17, 18 If a circle is one, how many is an octagon?2, 4, 6, 8, 12
