Washington: Eleven of the 40 high school seniors named as finalists in one of America's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science and math competition are of Indian-origin. The 40 finalists have received an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington from March 5 to 11, where they will compete for over USD 1 million in awards provided by the Intel Foundation. According to a statement Intel Science Talent Search also tripled its top award money, replacing the single USD 100,000 top prize with three Medal of Distinction awards of USD 150,000 each.

Eswar Anandapadmanaban (New Jersey), Anvita Gupta (Arizona), Shashwat Kishore (Pennsylvania), Dhaivat Nitin Pandya (Wisconsin), Reesab Pathak (Washington), Anika Raghuvanshi (Oregaon). Five of the Indian American students are from California - Somya Khare, Saranesh Prembabu, Kriti Lall, Tanay Tandon and Rohith Kuditipudi. "Intel invests in engineering, math and science education to support the next generation of innovators, who will create the products and services to enrich our daily lives," said Justin Rattner, president of the Intel Foundation.

"This year's finalists - who are engaged in leading-edge scientific research and the creation of new technology to address global challenges such as renewable energy, cybersecurity and infectious diseases - prove that with the right education and resources, young people can indeed change the world," he said. "The 40 finalists of the Intel Science Talent Search are some of the best and brightest young scientists in the nation," said Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of Society for Science & the Public and publisher of Science News.