Chapter 3

3 "So, what exactly is the Maker Maze?" asked Deepak. "The Maker Maze is like a makerspace," replied Dr. Crisp. "But…with a little twist." "You mean a big twist?" said Pablo. He was still in shock. Last year, their class had gone to a makerspace for a field trip. Pablo and Violet actually got to do experiments themselves! They built a bridge out of plastic cups and Popsicle sticks. And they tested which combination of vinegar and baking soda could make a bottle rocket fly the highest. Pablo was sure his rocket

could have flown into space if it hadn't been for the ceiling. But the Maker Maze was different. It was bigger and had way more fancy gadgets. Dr. Crisp showed them the book she was holding. It was a bright, glittery shade of gold. Pablo reached out and touched it. BIZZAP! It prickled his fingers the way the purple light around the telescope had prickled his ears. "Just tell the Maker Manual what you want to learn about," Dr. Crisp said. "The Maze will design a challenge, and you'll have one hundred twenty Maker Minutes to complete it."

"One hundred twenty Maker Minutes?" repeated Violet. "You bet your pipette!" answered Dr. Crisp. "That's how long the Maze will keep your classmates frozen." She pointed with her pencil to a screen above them. They could see their classroom, where everyone was as still as stone. "And when time runs out?" asked Deepak. He gulped. Dr. Crisp sighed. "If you can't finish in time, I won't be able to invite you back. Maker Maze rules," she said, tapping the manual. "Is it really hard?" asked Pablo. "Don't fret, space cadet! I choose my Makers wisely. I know you all are up for the challenge!" said Dr. Crisp. She opened the golden book to a page with just one giant question mark on it. "Who'd like to suggest a topic?" she asked, smiling.

"Wait. We're not going to have to do anything dangerous, are we?" asked Pablo. "Oh, Pablo, don't be a party pooper! What's the worst that could happen?" said Violet. Deepak giggled. "You'll be safer here than in outer space!" said Dr. Crisp. She made an M with her three middle fingers facing down. "Maker's honor," she promised. Pablo stared at the spaceships on his sneakers. "Okay," he said. "Let's learn about ecosystems." Nothing happened. The trio looked at Dr. Crisp. She was still smiling. Suddenly, the pages

of the Maker Manual began to turn. They turned slowly at first. One by one. Then faster. And faster! It looked like a tornado was spinning through the book. Finally, they stopped. The page read: LEVEL 1: FOOD CHAIN FOUR SQUARE Enter through door number five to begin. Dr. Crisp snapped the book shut, grabbed a backpack, and put the Maker Manual inside. "Follow me!" she said, and took off sprinting down the long hallway. "Wait up!" shouted Violet.

They ran as fast as they could. They passed doors number one, two, three, and four. Dr. Crisp was waiting for them at door number five. "Here we go!" said Dr. Crisp. She reached for the doorknob. "Hold on!" said Pablo. "How will we keep track of Maker Minutes?" "With your Magnificent Maker Watches, of course!" said Dr. Crisp. "Our what?" asked Violet.