Intel Corporation recognized 11 Indians among 40 U.S. high school seniors as finalists in the Intel Science Talent, the nation's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science and math competition and a program of Society for Science & the Public. The Intel Science Talent Search encourages students to tackle challenging scientific questions and create technologies and solutions that will make lives better. The 40 finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. from March 5-11, where they will compete for more than $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 $100,000 top prize with three 'Medal of Distinction' awards of $150,000 each.

The student's names are Eswar Anandapadmanaban (New Jersey), Anvita Gupta (Arizona), Shashwat Kishore (Pennsylvania), Dhaivat Nitin Pandya (Wisconsin), Reesab Pathak (Washington), Anika Raghuvanshi (Oregaon). Others are from California Somya Khare, Saranesh Prembabu, Kriti Lall, Tanay Tandon and Rohith Kuditipudi.

While in Washington, D.C., Intel Science Talent Search finalists will endure a rigorous judging process, communicate with leading scientists, display their research to the public at the National Geographic Society and meet with national leaders. Winners will be announced at a black-tie invitation-only gala awards ceremony at the National Building Museum on March 10. Over the past decade, Intel and the Intel Foundation have invested more than $1 billion, and Intel employees have donated around 4 million hours toward improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in more than 100 countries, regions and territories.