A Waterford High School student won first place in the environmental science category at the Connecticut Science and Engineering fair in March.

Sophie Wang took her project, which assessed the use of small crustaceans called copepods to control mosquitos, to Quinnipiac University for the fair. Wang created a trap in which the copepods ate mosquito larvae.

Wang said she focused her project on creating an ideal environment for the crustaceans, and making the trap environmentally friendly as well.

She won a $500 prize for winning the division, plus two other cash prizes and a four-year scholarship to UConn worth $26,000.

She also qualified for an international science competition in Houston in May.

The trap could actually have a practical use as a way to control mosquitoes.

“I do think it’s something that people can use in their own life,” she said. “I’m excited to try it out this summer.”