'Superbrains' to Take Over Herndon This Weekend

Herndon will be taken over by a swarm of "superbrains," as they call themselves, this weekend.

No cause for alarm, they're actually just coming to have a good time.

It's all in the name of super-smarts.

The Regional Gathering of the Metropolitan Washington Mensa group - otherwise known as the "superbrains" - will take place this Friday to Sunday, May 17-19, at the Hyatt Dulles in Herndon.

For those not familiar, Mensa is "an international high IQ society," members say.

The 2013 Gathering, themed "Superhero Edition," will feature keynote speaker Ryan Davidson, attorney and author of The Law of Superheroes. Davidson will discuss how the law might apply to the comic book universe, as well as the new Iron Man 3 movie release.

Close to 200 Mensa members from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are expected to gather for programs, a chocolate feast, an art contest, a blood drive, and many more activities, including special programs for gifted youth and teenagers.

A diverse agenda of program speakers will include Mac of Bikers Against Child Abuse Inc.; Sam Kean, science writer and author of The Violinist’s Thumb; and Georgia Higley, curator of the comic book collection at the Library of Congress.

The Gathering also features a 24-hour games room with access to an enormous games collection, and 24-hour hospitality with food and drink throughout the weekend, organizers say.

While the event is open only to Mensa members and their guests, the public is invited to pop by the Hyatt Dulles and take the Official Mensa Admissions test on Saturday from 9-11 a.m., with a $40 testing fee. 

More information on the Mensa gathering can be found online - and, as the organizers say, capes are welcome but not required.

Are you a member of Mensa? Have you ever taken the test? Tell us in the comments below.

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