‘Clock kid’ lauded at Google event

The Texas teenager suspended from school by authorities who say they mistook his homemade clock for a hoax bomb was the guest of honor Monday at Google’s annual science fair.

“It’s imperative for us to support and encourage our young people to explore and challenge the world around them through scientific discovery,” said the contest’s top judge in a blog post. “So we’re especially glad that Ahmed Mohamed—the 14-year-old clock maker from Texas—took us up on our invite to attend this year’s event.

“Curious young scientists, inventors and builders like him should be encouraged and empowered.”

Mohamed also met Google’s co-founder, Sergey Brin. 

Thanks @Google for saving me a seat at #googlesciencefair. Amazing projects and people pic.twitter.com/kpjVmlRPHY

— Ahmed Mohamed (@IStandWithAhmed) September 22, 2015

The search giant holds the event at its California headquarters, where 20 finalists from around the world and their projects compete for a $50,000 grand prize, according to USA Today. The winner was 16-year-old Olivia Hallisey, who developed a cheap and quick test for the ebola virus.

Mohamed received support from Silicon Valley after he was suspended last week. Mark Zuckerberg invited him to visit the headquarters of Facebook, while Twitter said they would love to have him intern at the social network.

Politicians have also weighed in on his case. President Obama invited him to the White House, and Mohamed was later invited to the October “astronomy night” at the executive mansion. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also expressed her support for the teen.

Officials in Irving, Texas, suspended Mohamed and placed him in handcuffs when he brought a homemade electronic clock to his school. Many have speculated that Mohamed’s Muslim background was a factor in the case.

His family has also said he plans to transfer schools.