ORONO – More than 129 high school students received recognition at the 56th annual Maine Science and Technology Fair at the University of Maine.

The Maine Principals’ Association sponsored the May 11 event in partnership with National Semiconductor and Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland, and the University of Maine’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and UM’s College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture.

The principals’ group awarded plaques to the schools whose students took first place in the Talks and Demonstrations and Exhibits categories. First-, second- and third-place winners took home gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively.

First-place and second-place winners in the Talks and Demonstrations categories earned U.S. savings bonds funded by National Semiconductor and Fairchild Semiconductor. First-place individual winners in Talks and Demonstrations also received a total of $4,000 in scholarships from the University of Maine, pending their enrollment at the university.

A number of special prizes also were awarded. Kate Cummings of Houlton High School, Rebecca Fortier of Bangor Christian Schools, Morgan MacLeod of Greely High School, and Eben Doten of Bangor Christian Schools received graphing calculators from the U.S. Navy. Jeremiah Molinaro of Foxcroft Academy received a calculator from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics.

The Talks and Demonstrations division required students to experiment or manipulate data in a new way, detailing their activities and progress in logbooks. In 15-minute presentations before science fair judges, the students discussed their original research or applications, used audio-visuals to document or support their data, and answered questions.

First-place winners in the Talks and Demonstrations categories were:

Grades 11-12 Biology: Paul Kusnierz, Penquis Valley High School;

Grades 11-12 Physics and chemistry: Eben Doten, Bangor Christian Schools;

Grades 11-12 Environmental and Psychology: Casey Marstaller, Greely High School;

Grades 11-12 Team A: Jessica Robinson and Jana Sickles, Foxcroft Academy;

Grades 11-12 Team B: Ashleigh Theberge and Nicole Niles, Mount Ararat High School;

Grades 11-12 Institutionally Aided: Daniel Sussman, Houlton High School;

Grades 9-10 Biology-Botany: Sarah Clark, Greely High School;

Grades 9-10 Biology-Human/Zoology A: Emily Tupper, Mount Ararat High School;

Grades 9-10 Biology-Human/Zoology B: Christina Kurzius, Foxcroft Academy;

Grades 9-10 Consumer: Rebecca Rogers, Bangor Christian Schools;

Grades 9-10 Environmental: First place, Ali Harding, Mount Ararat High School;

Grades 9-10 Physics and Chemistry: Morgan MacLeod, Greely High School;

Grades 9-10 Psychology: Alex Lemley, Mount Ararat High School;

Grades 9-10 Technology: Jeremiah Molinaro, Foxcroft Academy;

Grades 9-10 Institutionally Aided: Timothy Frawley, Greely High School.

In the Exhibits Division, students displayed evidence of scientific experimentation or application of technological principles.

Winners in the Exhibit categories were:

Grades 11-12 Biology: Heidi Mead, Bangor Christian Schools;

Grades 11-12 Chemistry and Physics: Kate Cummings, Houlton High School;

Grades 11-12 Consumer and Psychology: Kristen McFarland, Bangor Christian Schools;

Grades 11-12 Team: Dustin McCann and David Lewis, Houlton High School;

Grades 9-10 Biology-Botany: Michelle Robb, Greely High School;

Grades 9-10 Biology-Zoology: Thomas Watson, Mount Ararat High School;

Grades 9-10 Biology-Human: Libby Bamford, Greely High School;

Grades 9-10 Biology-Microbiology: Benjamin Travis McLeod, Bangor Christian Schools;

Grades 9-10 Chemistry: Nicholas Briggs, Foxcroft Academy;

Grades 9-10 Consumer A: Hillary Mordecai, Mount Ararat High School;

Grades 9-10 Consumer B: Andrew Woolford, Mount Ararat High School;

Grades 9-10 Consumer C: Alyssa Robinson, Foxcroft Academy;

Grades 9-10 Environmental A: Eva Birk, Medomak Valley High School;

Grades 9-10 Environmental B: Kate Fortin, Greely High School;

Grades 9-10 Psychology A: Andrew Robinson, Foxcroft Academy;

Grades 9-10 Psychology B: Kellie Wiswell, Bangor Christian Schools;

Grades 9-10 Physics A: Vanessa Colesworthy, Greely High School;

Grades 9-10 Physics B: Jenn Tonks, Greely High School;

Grades 9-10 Physics C: Tom Damon, Greely High School;

Grades 9-10 Team A: Jack Malcolm and Reid Hansen, Cape Elizabeth High School;

Grades 9-10 Team B: Christy Catsos and Danielle Beaumont, Cape Elizabeth High School.