the text with interest Junior high and high school students were invited to submit science projects that involved using technology to study an environmental topic The prize for first place was 2,000 Bridget’s heart beat faster thinking of all the cool gadgets and apps she could buy with that money And she was seriously low on cash after upgrading her smartphone last month As she ducked into her classroom Bridget read that Margaret Knutson would be judging the contest Dr Knutson was a technology scientist who had developed special tracking collars for endangered wolves Bridget had read about her work on several social networking sites 2,000 and a chance to meet Dr Knutson Bridget thought taking her seat I have to enter Please take out your tablets and look at chapter seven Ms Diaz Bridget’s science teacher said as she breezed into the room Bridget put her phone in her backpack She’d check out how to enter the contest later We’re going to start our final group research project today Ms Diaz explained 6
Project Bridget perked up This might give her a perfect opportunity to enter the Technology in Science Fair Plus I’ve already got my group partners picked out Bridget thought glancing over at her friends Eric and Emma Third-period science class was probably the best part of Bridget’s day It was the only class that she Emma and Eric were all in together Emma had been Bridget’s best friend forever and Eric lived next door to her Better yet Eric and Emma usually got along with each other Ms Diaz had assigned seats so Bridget didn’t sit next to Eric or Emma during class But they often worked on group projects and studied for tests together Ms Diaz was showing the pages from chapter 7 on the classroom’s Smart Board Bridget sat up a little straighter in her seat as she pulled up the chapter on her own tablet computer Because Bridget loved all things tech she found it easier to pay attention in class if her teachers used technology too Bridget’s whole life revolved around technology Her father was Nick Grant 7
president of Lingo a technology company in Cyber Hills and Bridget had access to a lot of cutting-edge gadgets It was the reason why almost everyone in school except for the teachers called her Bridget Gadget The purpose of this project is to hone your scientific observation skills Ms Diaz explained You’ll want to pick a topic to observe over a two-week period It can be anything animals plants stars You just need to present a reason for picking your subject Bridget smiled when she saw Emma raise her hand She already knew what Emma was going to ask Yes Emma Ms Diaz said Can we pick our own groups for the project Ms Diaz nodded Yes you can Emma smiled over her shoulder at Bridget and Bridget nodded towards Eric on the left side of the room Their group was set In fact let’s pick groups now Ms Diaz said Gather with your partners and then I’ll explain this more 8
Bridget sprang from her chair and headed toward Emma She waved at Eric to follow her over but he was already on his way Bridget and Eric pulled up chairs by Emma’s table You guys got here fast Emma joked Ms Diaz looked around the room Okay so we have one group of two Ms Diaz said looking at Grant Jung and Ella Reynolds who sat so close to each other that Bridget had to look twice to make sure they were sitting on separate chairs Grant and Ella were dating They held hands at lunch and in the hallway Every time Bridget saw them she couldn’t help but feel a little weird about it She’d heard that some kids in the sixth grade were already dating Bridget had a crush or two herself but she didn’t think she was ready to date Besides she doubted her dad would even allow it She was glad none of her friends were dating either Okay I guess it’s okay to have one group of two Ms Diaz said after a moment Ms Diaz let the groups brainstorm what they would like to observe for the project 9
