Memory Jocks Germany’s child memory champion Katharina Bunk studies a memorization sheet at a competition in Bad Wörishofen, Germany. In this “Names and Faces” event, the goal is to memorize as many name–face combinations as possible during the allotted time. Many competitors wear earmuffs and other devices to block out background noises that might interfere with their concentration.

Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picturealliance/dpa/AP Images