Mt Roskill students realise their dreams

Winning students (from left) Nikhil Mahashabde, 17, Kevin Huang, 18, and Abhilash Kamineni, 17.

Three Auckland teenagers are looking forward to coming up with innovative inventions that will change the world.

Mt Roskill Grammar students Nikhil Mahashabde, 17, Kevin Huang, 18, and Abhilash Kamineni, 17, were among 29 students chosen from around the country to attend this year's Genesis Energy Realise the Dream event.

The trio spent a week at the event, held in Wellington last week, where youngsters were recognised for their excellent science and technological research done while at school.

Students presented their individual works to a panel of judges at the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Mr Mahashabde, who created the SpyNik - a device designed to let parents monitor and control their children's internet use remotely - was awarded a trip to attend the Taiwan International Science Fair.

The 17-year-old is set to study engineering and commerce at the University of Auckland next year.

But his sights are ultimately set on greater horizons.

"One of my goals is to get into Nasa. That was my passion as a child and still is - astronomy.

"And with engineering, hopefully I can combine my two passions one day and do work for Nasa."

His feet, though, will be firmly planted on the ground.

"Oh no, I don't want to actually go into space.

"I just want to be the brains behind the project."

Classmate Kevin Huang was awarded a trip to China to attend the Beijing Youth Creation Competition, for his remote-controlled lawnmower.

The 18-year-old came up with the idea for his invention after seeing his grandparents having trouble maintaining their lawns.

Mr Huang was sponsored by Prime Minister John Key to help develop his mower, which earned its maker several top prizes at the Niwa Auckland Science and Technology Fair this year.

Mr Kamineni created the NSR Transfer - a pocket-sized device which lets him transfer data between USB drives.

He said being able to attend the Realise the Dream event was an amazing experience.

"The skills we learnt there will remain with us for life and the contacts we make will be invaluable as we continue our work in the future."

Royal Society of New Zealand organiser Debbie Woodhall said the work that the three students - and many others - undertook was highly innovative.

"To be selected is a real achievement as all the entries are of a very high standard, with students completing some outstanding projects," she said.

The students will fly to Wellington on March 10 for an awards dinner.

A trip to Europe and cash prizes of up to $7000 will be presented.