Bangalore: Nine Indian students from different parts of the country, winners of the India Initiative for Research & Innovation in Science (IRIS) will represent India at the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to be held in Los Angeles, California from May 8-13. IRIS, a public private partnership between DST, CII and Intel, aims to promote and nurture science and scientific research amongst the young Indian innovators in Secondary and Higher Secondary schools. ISEF, supposedly the world's largest pre-college science fair, is the only global science competition for students in grades 9-12. The competition brings together more than 1600 young students from over 60 countries to showcase their ideas and cutting-edge projects to compete for more than $4 million in awards and scholarships. The Intel ISEF winners are selected based on their creative ability and scientific thought, as well as the thoroughness, skill, and clarity shown in their projects. Over 1300 IRIS project entries were received from across the country under10 categories out of which 88 projects were showcased at IRIS 2010 held at the Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai and six projects by 9 students were shortlisted to represent India at ISEF. Commenting on the initiative, P K Bansal, Union Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Science and Technology and Earth Sciences said, "This initiative is a unique platform for our children to explore the possibilities of scientific research and innovation, giving them an opportunity to think out of the box; question; discover and analyze. It aims to infuse a spirit of discovery in school children, promote hands-on exploration and investigative learning in different areas of science and technology, and unearth innovative ideas that can change the world around us. I'm sure these talented students will do us proud at the International level." "These projects are an illustration of the scientific accomplishments and innovation that exists in this country, which highlight the incredible things that can happen when inspired ideas and the will to make them happen come together," said Ashutosh Chadha, Director - Corporate Affairs Group, Intel South Asia. ISEF winners are chosen in several categories including behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, computer science, and engineering: materials & bioengineering, environmental sciences, medicine and health sciences, microbiology and many others. Projects are evaluated by more than 1200 judges from nearly every scientific discipline, each with a Ph.D. or equivalent (six years of related professional experience) in one of the scientific disciplines, and include Nobel laureates and Intel fellows.