Tessa Pyman, of Ringwood North, Amelia Wales, of Vermont South, Laura Fry, of Donvale, and Laura Driessen, of Wonga Park, are among 432 year 11 students selected from about 2000 applicants in Australia.

Laura, 17, said she was surprised but happy to be selected. "There were just so many applicants. It was a shock to be selected and then I was just plain excited.

"I have been interested in science all my life, but I really was sure when I got to year 10 that science was what I wanted to do. There is so much to find out and the amazing discoveries never end."

Laura, who studies biology, physics and chemistry, said she planned to go to university to study a bachelor of science majoring in physics and then do research in astrophysics.

She hoped the forum would help her achieve a broader view of science. "It's a great opportunity to do things that we don't get to at school."

Amelia said being selected was an honour. "It's a very prestigious program and knowing that I had managed to be accepted into it was so exciting, it felt unreal."

The 16-year-old said she enjoyed how science made the world understandable. "Science lets us explains what happens around us and allows us to use that understanding to create new things and change the world for the better.

"I'm definitely aiming to get a career in either science or engineering. I'm hoping the forum will give me more information about possible careers that involve what I love."

Amelia said she and her classmates would take part in a series of lectures and lab visits related to different areas of science during the forum and meet scientists and engineers.