March 2022

When they got outside, Chelsea said, “According to the flyer, the events are next to parking lot 54, by the Biomedical Engineering Building.” “That’s about a fifteen minutes walk from here,” Simon said. “Or a five minute run!” Mr. C waved them on. “You kids run ahead. Pascal and I will catch up in the bookmoblie. I know we’re running read more

“I know college classes are supposed to be hard, but here’s a class that looks like fun!” exclaimed Cooper. He had stopped walking so quickly that Mr. C almost ran into him. The Trackers had been roaming the hallways of the Biomedical Engineering Building, searching for another one of Dr. Newton’s clues. Cooper pressed his nose against the large window read more

“Don’t mind the mess,” Dr. G said. Then he gestured toward the lab tables. “My students didn’t have a chance to clean up before they left today. They have been engaged in the creative process, and sometimes it can get a little out of hand.” “We see that!” Maya exclaimed.  The lab tables were filled with all kinds of materials, read more

For the next few minutes, the Trackers wandered around the lab and examined the students’ work. One prosthesis was constructed from the blocks of wood. The students had painted it with a pattern so that it appeared lifelike. It was just the right size, but.... “This one looks a little clunky and heavy,” Maya said. “So it might be hard read more

Then Maya said, “Hey, right there!” in a near-shriek. She was pointing to a large chart hanging on the wall of the lab. “The Periodic Table of Elements,” Jamal said in pure adoration. “That’s so cool....” “It certainly is,” Dr. G replied. “The Periodic Table lists all the chemical properties of every element known to humankind. The atomic numbers tell read more

And now Pascal was smiling, too—for the first time since they met him. “The Newton Center for Applied Mathematics!” he said with a laugh that seemed to come out on its own. “Where everything is supposed to be happening today!!!” “And that,” Mr. C said, spreading his hands wide, “is where I’ll bet your boss is waiting. Because I think read more

The bookmobile squealed to a halt in front of the Newton Center for Applied Mathematics. Out front, a large crowd of students had gathered. “They’re here for the lecture,” Mr. C said as the Trackers filed off the bus and headed for the door. “Which is supposed to start in less than an hour.” Simon’s eyes widened. “Wow, that’s a read more

The next clue was waiting for them as soon as they stepped inside. There on the wall of the foyer, scribbled in the same purple chalk, was a truly bizarre set of characters— ↑ 3 → 4 ← 9 = DRTN “Umm...okay,” Gabby said. “No idea what that means.” Simon shook his head and shrugged. “Where are the symbols for read more

“That first part of the clue is telling us to go up to the third floor,” Jamal explained as the elevator doors opened. “An up arrow with the number ‘3’. And here we are.” “Okay, so what about the second part?” Pascal asked with the tiniest hint of a smile. He seemed absolutely fascinated by everything the kids did and read more

He was a smallish, roly-poly sort of man, with wild hair and a thick beard. His clothes were worn and kind of grubby, as if he hadn’t changed them in months. But it was his face that drew the most attention. His smile was warm and friendly, yet the gleam in the eyes behind those small, round glasses pulsed with read more