Philip Mocz, a sophomore at Mililani High School, has taken the top prize in the Hawai'i State Science and Engineering Fair.

His sister, Lucia, a freshman at Mililani High, took second place.

Philip's project was titled "Group Analysis to Pattern Discovery in Stellar and Galactic Distributions."

Winners of the best team project were Genevieve Pang and Alayna Betsill of Baldwin High School.

All four will represent the state at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Indianapolis May 7-13, along with other top science students from across the state.

Andrew Snow of Kaua'i High School and Marcia Clinton of St. Anthony's Parish School were named science teachers of the year.

The following students had the best of the more than 350 projects in the 49th state science fair organized by the Hawaii Academy of Science and held last week at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

Senior research: first, Philip Mocz, Mililani High; second, Lucia Mocz, Mililani High; third, Gitasree Devi Borthakur, Iolani School. Honorable mention: Mimi N. Hang, McKinley High; Genevieve C. Pang and Alayna R. Betsill, Baldwin High; Jessie Ann K. Pa'ahana, Kamehameha Schools' Kapalama Campus.

Junior research: first, Nolan M.K. Kamitaki, Waiakea Intermediate; second, Aaron A. Rozon, Island School; third, Naomi R. Perry, St. Anthony Parish School. Honorable mention: Devin W.M. Chong, Kealakehe Intermediate; Shalila Alejandra Baena, Ha'aheo Elementary; Natasha J. Leonard, Kealakehe Intermediate.

Junior display: first, Teagan K.J. Nakamoto, Konawaena Middle School; second, Nephi Tuitele and Nicholas Sakamoto, Damien Memorial High School; third, Sarah M. Tamashiro, St. Andrew's Priory. Honorable mention: Eric M. Magliulo, St. John Vianney School; Estee H. Katon, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School; Katherine E. Conners, Our Redeemer Lutheran Elementary.

Along with Philip and Lucia Mocz, Genevieve Pang and Alayna Betsill, Hawai'i's other representatives to the International Science and Engineering Fair are:

Maui: Caine Jette (Maui High); team project: Meghan Luther and Veronika Biskis (Baldwin High).

Leeward District: Ryan Gamurot (Kapolei High) and Shahodat Hamraeva (Kapolei High).

Windward: Kendra Ho Ching (Kahuku High).

Hawai'i Association of Independent Schools: Jessie Ann Paa'hana (Kamehameha's Kapalama Campus); Gitasree Borthakur (Iolani); Elaine Owen (St. Andrew's Priory); Shannon Thorp (St. Andrew's Priory).