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Five winners from this years’ BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards are representing Australia at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Pennsylvania, USA from 10 to 15 May.

Dhruv Verma from Scotch College in Victoria was the first place winner in the engineering category of the awards for his smartphone app to help the elderly live independently in their own homes.

“I was happy and excited to win the prestigious BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards. It has given me the opportunity to participate in the amazing INTEL ISEF and has validated the fact that there is a need for my solution in the global community and that it is solving a real world problem,” Dhruv said.

First place getter in the science category, Jackson Huang from the Queensland Academy for Science, Maths and Technology, is also heading to the internationally-recognised event.

“I’m very excited to meet other young scientists from around the world who are also passionate about finding solutions to real-world problems.

“I am looking forward to seeing other amazing projects and also the opportunity to travel to the United States for my first time,” Jackson said.

Melissa Gerwin from Tasmania, Ben Grace from far north Queensland and Somya Mehra from Victoria are the other teen innovators lucky enough to attend along with 2015 teacher winner Philippa Miller from New South Wales.

The students will be joined by around 1800 other high school students from around the globe presenting their research projects at the Intel ISEF to compete for a range of awards and scholarships.

It’s not easy to get a spot at this event – around 7 million students from all over the world participate in local science competitions for a chance to attend.

The BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards is one of the only Australian competitions that give students the opportunity to present Intel ISEF.