A group of talented high school photographers have been named as finalists in the Cochlear Aurora Photo Contest 2017.

The competition offers cash prizes to schools which will support women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and is conducted by Flinders University’s group STEM: Women Branching Out.

High school students were asked to take photos to reflect the theme, ‘science is everywhere!’.

The number of entries submitted for 2017 more than doubled the submissions for last year’s competition, with many coming from regional South Australia, including Victor Harbor and Murray Bridge.

The volume of high quality submissions has seen a new People’s Choice competition introduced for the top 18 entries.

Votes can be cast by ‘liking’ a photo on the STEM: Women Branching Out Facebook page.

The full list of finalists can be viewed Flinders Cochlear Aurora Photo Contest webpage.

STEM: Women Branching Out would like to thank the judges panel for taking time to find the winners: Professor Claire Lenehan, Professor John Long, Associate Professor Mike Perkins, Dr Maria Parappilly, Professor Karen Burke da Silva, Dr Sherry Randwha, Dr Ula Alexander, Ms Julie Herraman, Ms Chris Brooks, Ms Vanessa Lobban and PhD Student Ayla Orang.