Computer gloves, UV clothing, Solar Panels and Chewing Gum

We dropped in to the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards, which are Australia's most prestigious prizes to school students for innovative research in scientific and  engineering.

On show was some great talent for projects including three high school finalists. Angela Liao's on Something to chew on: Effects of gum’s flavour on salivary flow rate and pH levels,    Ian Arachi on his project Ultraviolet protection and clothing, and Sanjog Chintalaphani on Performance of commercial photovoltaics in North Canberra.

Jake Coppinger showed off his Swirlesque glove - a new form of human-computer interaction. It recognises natural hand gestures and performs actions, communicating through smartphone apps.

We also caught up with Director of the CSIRO Discovery Centre Chris Kennedy to talk about Science and Engineering Awards, young people doing science, and why it matters.

Interviews by Rod