On Friday the school vice-captains rubbed shoulders with Amos Washington, Australia’s youth representative to the United Nations.

The Adelaide Law School student was in Wollongong for the city’s second United Nations Youth Forum.

The event was held at Keira High School for a second straight year and included about 80 students from Keira, Bulli, Woonona, Corrimal, Smiths Hill, Figtree and Wollongong High School.

The forum is the brainchild of United Nations Youth Australia, which aims to educate and empower young Australians on global issues.

Fittingly going global – or London to be exact – is where Marie and Jarrad are headed in late July.

A ‘Dinner with a Scientist’ event they fronted recently raised the remaining funds needed to get the pair to the London International Youth Science Forum.

Marie and Jarrad will spend two weeks at the forum with 500 other leading young scientists from around the world.

Keira High School principal David Robson, said it was an amazing achievement for the students to be selected for the forum and follows on from their exceptional performance at the National Youth Science Forum in January.

Read more: Wollongong students engage in UN Youth Forum

Marie Micale said the experience at the forum will give her an international perspective on science.

“I know that London International Youth Science Forum will help me shape the future,” she said.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain an insight into the international science community and to immerse myself in cutting edge science.”

Jarrad Pritchard said he was keen for the immersion experience of the forum.

“It has always been my dream to become a microbiologist,” he said.

“I cherish the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded students from across the globe and I feel the forum will provide a pivotal experience.”

The London International Youth Science Forum runs July 25 to August 8.