A Ventura County eighth-grader came away with a claim to scientific brilliance Tuesday.

Michael Iorga, 13, earned the Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Beckmen Project of the Year award at the 56th annual California State Science Fair.

His project, called "Laser Cooling and Trapping of Rubidium-87 Atoms Using MOL (optical molasses)," put him atop the middle school-aged division to win the equivalent of first place and $5,500.

"When I was preparing, I was worried whether I'd win something or not," Michael said.

The project made use of ordinary, nonscientific items to build an apparatus where a laser could cool and trap atoms.

Michael, a student at Sycamore Canyon School in Newbury Park, is the second Ventura County student to win top honors at the competition in the past five years. He was one of 61 Ventura County middle and high school students who qualified for the state event by placing first or second at last month's county Science Fair.

The event, hosted by the California Science Center in Los Angeles, drew 969 participants from 380 middle and high schools. Participants competed for awards totaling more than $50,000.

Michael entered last year's state competition but went away empty-handed.

"I wanted something very complicated and advanced this time," he said. "I thought I had a chance at winning it."

His father, Cosmin Iorga, attended the event and said he was pleased.

"I was so excited," Iorga said. "I didn't know how to react."

Iorga said his son became enveloped in science about three years ago. "He really likes science and being exposed to a lot of interesting things," he said.

Iorga, whose son now could be classified as a financially stable eighth-grader, said he isn't worried about how his son spends his science earnings. "He can spend it however he wants," Iorga said.

Michael said he'll hold back on any big spending for now.

"Eventually I want to get a car with the money," he said.

Michael said he's preparing to apply for another competition, the Discovery Science Challenge, which takes place in October in Washington, D.C.

"Science is awesome," he said. "If you know science, then you can understand stuff around you."