The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, is the world’s largest high school science research competition. Through a global network of local, regional and national science fairs, an estimated seven million students are encouraged to explore their passion for science and engineering by developing innovative creations that change the way people work and live.

Each May, a group of these students is selected as finalists, close to 1700 in total, and offered the opportunity to compete for approximately $4 million in awards and scholarships.

The Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit membership organisation dedicated to public engagement in science and science education, is Intel's administrative partner for the competition. They have also been a part of the competition since its inception in 1950, when it was initially known as the National Science Fair in the US.

Taking place next week from 10-15 May, the young scientists, engineers, next-generation entrepreneurs and makers will convene in Pittsburgh for the final competition. These finalists were selected from 422 affiliate fairs in more than 75 countries, regions and territories. All finalists are selected by an affiliated, local competition and receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

At the competition in Pittsburgh, finalists are judged by hundreds of science, engineering and industry professionals who have a Ph.D. or equivalent (six years of related professional experience) in one of the scientific disciplines below. Finalists’ projects tackle topics ranging from wearable technology to big data analytics to renewable energy. Projects represent a wide range of scientific disciplines and are judged 20 categories, including:

• Animal Sciences

• Microbiology

• Earth and Environmental Sciences

• Engineering Mechanics

• Robotics and Intelligent Systems

• Mathematics

The top research project in the competition will receive the Gordon E. Moore Award, as well as a $75 000 grand prize from the Intel Foundation. Two additional research projects will receive Intel Foundation Young Scientist Awards of $50 000.

We'll be reporting on how our local young scientists fair next week, but for more info, follow @IntelInvolved or @Society4Science on Twitter.