The stage, balloons, banners, and purple lights glided away. The Makers and Dr. Crisp were now standing in an empty room.
“Whoa!” said Henry. “How did you do that? Are you sure you don’t have superpowers?” he asked Dr. Crisp through squinted eyes.
“Science is my superpower!” Dr. Crisp raised her fist in the air. Then she cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “Incoming!”
The Makers jumped out of the way as a large green bowl dropped from the ceiling. It landed with a thud. The bowl was huge!
“Where did that come from?” asked Pablo, searching the ceiling with his eyes.
“Secret door number six,” replied Dr. Crisp. “Now listen closely, Makers!” She bent down and cupped a hand around one of her ears. “This level is all about hearing.”
Violet smiled with her head tilted to the side. “I thought we were going to cook something. Like maybe a chocolate cake,” she said. “And then taste it.”
Dr. Crisp laughed. “Sorry to burst your Bunsen burner. No tasting in this level.” Then she opened her backpack and started pulling out a long roll of plastic wrap.
“Stand back, Makers!” she grunted. After a few pulls, she finally got the whole thing out. It was even wider than the bowl! Then she pulled out a giant jar of jelly beans and a huge rubber band.
“Uh-oh,” said Pablo, giggling. “The bands are back!”
“I’m telling you, I need one of those backpacks!” added Violet.
Dr. Crisp explained the level. “Inside each ear, you have a tiny flap of skin called an eardrum.”
“We have drums in our ears?” asked Henry, pulling on his costume sleeve. “That explains why it gets so noisy sometimes.”
Dr. Crisp laughed. “Your eardrum isn’t that kind of drum. But after this level, you’ll understand how it got its name. You’re going to make a model eardrum and then test it. To complete the level, you’ll have to figure out how the eardrum detects sound.”
Dr. Crisp opened the Maker Manual to a page with a list of instructions. Then she raised both arms overhead. As she lowered them, she shouted, “Ready, set, MAKE!”
First the Makers tore off a long piece of plastic wrap. Then they pulled the plastic tight and stretched it over the bowl.
“Now all we have to do is fasten it with a rubber band,” said Violet as she ran down the list of instructions with her finger.
Pablo, Violet, and Henry each grabbed a side of the band.
“Pull!” said Violet.
The Makers stretched the band with all their might.
“I think it’s wide enough,” said Pablo. Drops of sweat dotted his forehead.
Violet’s arms trembled. “Let’s hurry!”
“I’m not sure I can hold on much longer!” Pablo yelped. Just then, the band slipped from one of his hands.
“Hold tight, Henry!” called Violet.
“I’m trying!” he replied.
Pablo wiped his forehead with his free hand. “Okay, got it,” he said.
The Makers carefully lifted and lowered the band around the bowl and plastic wrap.
“Let go on three!” shouted Violet. “One, two, THREE!”
“Yeah!” The Makers celebrated with double high fives.
“Well, polish my pipette!” cheered Dr. Crisp. “Excellent teamwork!” She leaned on the bowl with her elbow and gave it a pat. “Now it’s time to try this beauty out!” Dr. Crisp shouted into her watch. “Maker Maze, activate Going, Going, Gong!”
The floor began to shake. Pablo and Violet smiled, but Henry turned as white as a ghost.
“No, no, no!” he said as he raised his hands to his ears.
