Chapter 2

2 Pablo and Violet couldn't wait to explore the Science Space. Along the wall was a shelf holding plastic bins filled with safety goggles, magnifying glasses, magnets, scales for weighing, and wooden boards with nuts and bolts for building. There were even two red drones! "Oh, man! When are we going to get to fly those?" asked Pablo. "I can't wait to learn how to program them! I bet they can do all kinds of cool tricks," said Violet.

They sat down at one of the tables in the Science Space. Deepak joined them. Mr. Eng passed around a handout.

Food Chain Fun A food chain is how energy from food is passed from one living thing to another in an ecosystem. Producers make their own food from nonliving things. Plants use light, water, and air to make food. Consumers eat other living things (plants, animals, or both). Decomposers, like bacteria, fungus, or worms, recycle dead plants and animals into nutrients. Larger decomposers, like vultures, eat dead animals and are called scavengers.

"Think about the town of Newburg," said Mr. Eng. "You have ten minutes to make a list of living things that are producers, consumers, and decomposers in our local ecosystem." Violet turned to Deepak. "We'll help you since you're new to town," she said. But Pablo didn't want to help Deepak. Then something got his attention. Sitting in the window of the Science Space was a shiny new telescope. Pablo had a small handheld telescope at home. But this one came with a fancy tripod! Pablo decided to sneak over and take a peek. He was about to peep through the lens when a crumpled ball of paper rolled up next to him. He looked around. The rest of the class was busy working on the assignment. He picked up the crinkled paper ball and opened it.

M PRODUCERS, CONSUMERS, DECOMPOSERS, OH MY! ALL ARE NECESSARY FOR AN ECOSYSTEM TO SURVIVE. MOST ANIMALS ARE LIVING THINGS, BEWARE! IF DISAPPEARED, WE WOULDN'T HAVE FRESH AIR. AND WITHOUT NATURE'S GARBAGE WOULD BE EVERYWHERE! SOLVE THIS RIDDLE TO ENTER THE MAKER MAZE. The Maker Maze? Pablo had gone through a corn maze at Newburg Farm. And a mirror maze at the Newburg Fair. But he had never heard of the Maker Maze. "Hey, you guys! Look at this," said Pablo. He tossed the paper onto the table. Violet read it aloud. She bit her lip. "Let's solve the riddle!"

"Wait," said Deepak. He pulled on his ear. He seemed a little unsure. "What's the matter?" Pablo asked. "You aren't scared, are you?" "No!" Deepak frowned. "Come on, guys," said Violet. "I bet Mr. Eng is secretly passing these around. Maybe if we solve it first, we get a prize or something!" The three kids stared at the wrinkly piece of paper. "Living things, beware," Violet read. She bit her lip again. "The first one must be consumers. They eat living things." "Yeah," said Pablo. "And the handout says decomposers eat dead stuff. So they're probably the ones who get rid of nature's garbage." "We have lots of plants at home. My dad says they keep the air clean. I guess that means we have fresh air thanks to producers?" asked Deepak. Before Pablo or Violet could answer, their chairs and table started to shake. Everything in the