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The Two Scientists
by Jacob Hawkins
Chapter 1 - Out of School
We, the two scientists, Erik and Scott have written a letter to our teacher saying that we have moved to Australia and Canada. The teacher, Alicia, will never know that we are still living here in Utah, and that we are building a secret laboratory in the schoolhouse attic, making inventions. Never trust us.
Chapter 2 - The Science Lab Begins
To supply our lab, we sneaked things from home to the lab in our shirts and backpacks. We also found some supplies in the attic. The science lab looks perfect. We brought some green food coloring, marble tubes, cups, gears, baking soda, vinegar, and many other items. Oh, the beauty.
Chapter 3 - The First Invention
First we built the Scotty Schnoz. I wanted to call it the Sniffer Schnoofer, but it was Scott's idea, so he was the boss. We made a film container look like a nose. We wanted it to shoot forward, making a sneezing sound, and blow out green slime. We thought we could make it shoot forward using steam, pepper, or a chemical reaction. I had seen my teacher make a rocket using baking soda tablets and vinegar. We decided to try this first.
Chapter 4 - Failure
First, we tried putting the soda in the canister and adding the vinegar straight in. It frothed up all at once, and by the time we got the lid on there was no pressure left. Second, we tried wrapping the soda in toilet paper, then added the vinegar and turned it lid side down. It popped too fast and only jumped about an inch. But I jumped about a foot. After this try, I didn't want to be the holder anymore.
Third, we put in the soda, cut a sponge and put it over the soda, added the vinegar, plugged it, and flipped it over. NOTHING! I guess the soda and the vinegar couldn't reach each other. How about a little shaking? Waaaahhh! Hardy, har, har. I was glad I wasn't holding the "nose" this time.
Chapter 5 - Success
The last time that we tried it, we put the soda in first (1 tsp), cut the sponge in half and packed it over the soda. Then we added two teaspoons of vinegar using a syringe. There was time to put on the lid and flip it lid side down. POP! Wow, it went about six inches and splattered everywhere. Yippee! It even made a sound like a popping sneeze! Delightful!
RRRIIIINNNNGGGG! Time to go home.
Chapter 6 - There's No Place Like Home
We, the two scientists, parted at the front gate and headed to our houses. My mom was at the door waiting for me. Could she see the pride and success on my face? Or maybe a little green splatter? "Time for bed, Erik," she said.
"What?!"
"It's 9:30 p.m. in Australia." Grrrrr. I guess my teacher, Alicia, is a lot smarter than I thought.
To be continued ...