Chapter 5

5 The Makers studied each hologram carefully. Hologram Skylar's arm lifted and lowered as she painted. Hologram Devin smiled as he gave the ball a swish to keep it spinning. Hologram Violet bit her lip and squinted her eyes through her safety glasses. She examined each test tube carefully. Pablo's hologram snored softly. "I think I'm using my cerebrum. I must be working on something important," Violet said. "Maybe I'm discovering a cure for the flu!" "I bet I'm using my cerebellum. Look at the different kinds of movements I'm doing," said

Skylar. "Yeah, and my cerebellum is probably helping me balance the ball," added Devin. "I wish I could do that in real life." "Which means my brain stem is making sure my body keeps working while I sleep!" said Pablo. "Okay, now we just have to move the pieces," said Violet. "How about…," began Skylar. "We each move our own!" Violet interrupted. "Well, I was thinking we could work together," said Skylar. "But we'll finish faster if we divide the work," Violet insisted. Pablo looked at his watch. "We have plenty of time," he said. "But maybe Violet's right. If we save time now, we'll have more time to finish the other challenges." "Well, I think my sister is right," said Devin with his hands on his hips. "We should work as a team."

Violet huffed, and tapped her foot. "Why don't you two work together to move the cerebellum," she replied. "I'll move the cerebrum, and Pablo can move the brain stem." Devin rubbed the back of his head. "If you say so. But the cerebrum is really big. You might need some help." "Don't worry," said Violet. She flexed her arm. "I'm tough!"

The twins shrugged and ran over to Bob's cerebellum. It was heavy, but together they were able to push it. Pablo picked up one end of the brain stem and decided to drag it. Violet ran over to the cerebrum. It was big. She walked around, trying to figure out how to pick it up. Maybe I should ask for help, she thought. She bit her lip and checked to see what the others were doing. Everyone was busy moving their pieces. Violet decided she could do it alone. She brushed a few loose curls out of her face and got to work.

Violet tried to lift Bob's massive cerebrum, but it was way too heavy. She grabbed it with both hands and tried pulling it. No luck. She tried pushing it. It scooted a couple of inches, but then Violet needed to take a break. Pablo had lugged the brain stem to the correct spot. "Excellent! This challenge is off to a STEMulating start!" shouted Dr. Crisp. A few moments later, the twins pushed Bob's cerebellum into place.

"Yes!" they cheered. The twins gave each other two high fives and a fist bump. Violet dug her heels into the floor and pushed. She still had a way to go before the cerebrum was in place. "Let us help you," said Pablo. "I almost got it," grunted Violet. Pablo pointed to his watch. "We'll be here all day if you try to push this big thing alone."