A record number of schools participated in the annual Sonoma County Science Fair Feb. 23, with six entries earning top marks. Of the more than 120 middle and high school students who participated, a total of 44 students earned blue ribbons in the contest, thereby securing a spot at the San Francisco Bay Area Science Fair March 18-21.

Tech High in Rohnert Park took five of the six top projects with the following students at the helm: Olivia Songster, William Humphreys, Cristian Mata, Anna Baney and Jon Wheeldin. Elijah Suchard of Hillcrest Middle School also earned top project honors.

Of the 100 projects on display at Sonoma State University, 44 earned blue ribbons. Cash prizes between $25 and $200 were given to 20 students.

The event was co-sponsored by Sonoma State and the non-profit Synopsys Outreach Foundation. The event featured presentations from SSU professors and students on topics including chemical indicators, science careers, DNA extraction, walk through the watershed and others.

Participating schools included:

Altamira Middle School

Brook Haven School

Casa Grande High School

Guerneville School

Harvest Christian School

Hillcrest Middle School

Maria Carrillo High School

Mary Collins Charter School at Cherry Valley

Monte Rio School

Orchard View Charter School

Pathways Charter School

Rincon Valley Middle School

Roseland Collegiate Prep

Roseland University Prep

St. Francis Solano School

Technology High

The Presentation School

Valley Oaks High School

Wright Charter School