Steve Brezenoff - The Case of the Empty Crates

1. Galileo Galilei was an Italian physicist and astronomer. born in Pisa, Italy, in February 1564, Galileo is considered the father of modern science.
2. Galileo was not the first person to invent the telescope. In 1608, eyeglass maker Hans Lippershey of Holland invented a spyglass, patented as a certain instrument for seeing far.
3. Galileos telescope, which improved upon the basic spyglass, was completed in 1609 and measured 36.5 inches long. It would become the prototype for the modern-day refractor telescope.
4. One of Galileos first discoveries was that the moons surface was, uneven, rough, full of cavities and prominences. Before his observations, people thought the moon was smooth and polished.
5. At its strongest, Galileos telescope was able to magnify things thirty times their normal size. In 1610, he used it to discover four new stars orbiting Jupiterthe planets four largest moons.

Amal Farah
Age: 11
Favorite Museum: Air and Space Museum
Interests: astronomy, space travel, and building models of space ships

Raining Sam
Age: 12
Favorite Museum: American History Museum
Interests: Ojibwe history, culture, and traditions, American history good and bad

Clementine Wim
Age: 13
Favorite Museum: Art Museum
Interests: painting, sculpting with clay, and anything colorful

Wilson Kipper
Age: 10
Favorite Museum: Natural History Museum
Interests: dinosaurs (especially pterosaurs and herbivores), and building dinosaur models

Amal Farah paced the lobby of the Capitol City Air and Space Museum, where her father, Dr. Farah, was the head archivist. She was wearing her best clothesa gold dress to match the golden stars of her favorite hijab.

Today was a very big day.

Dustin Stern, a local politician and millionaire, had donated a huge sum of money from his foundation to be used for a new wing at the Air and Space Museum. A was being held today so Dr. Farah and Mr. Stern could make the announcement.

The luncheon begins soon, Dr. Farah said, glancing nervously at the time on his phone. I need this to go smoothly. Where is Mr. Stern?

And where are my friends? Amal asked. She knew her father was worried, but so was she. Her friends were late. For what felt like the tenth time, she stopped in front of the revolving doors and checked the drop-off circle. This time, an ancient-looking station wagon with fake wood paneling on its doors jerked to a stop in front.

Finally! Amal said. Theyre here. She pushed through the door. A gust of misty rain swept her scarf and dress.

Clementine Wim, one of Amals best friends, climbed out of the front seat. Clem wore a long silk dress decorated with flowers from hem to neckline. Her normally wild red hair was in a braided bun today.

Amals other two best friends, Raining Sam and Wilson Kipper, climbed out of the back seat. Both wore suits that didnt fit quite right. Amal did her best not to laugh at the boys looking very uncomfortable.

Im so glad you came! Amal said. This is a big deal for my dad. She waved goodbye to Clems mom, Dr. Abigail Wim.

Dr. Wim was the assistant curator at the nearby Capitol City Art Museum. In fact, all the four friends parents worked at one of the Capitol City museums, all to one another on Museum Circle.

Have fun! Clems mom called as she drove off.

Amal ushered her friends inside, where her father was still waiting. Dr. Farah greeted them with a tense smile. He was clearly a bit worried about the luncheon ahead. Amal knew her father was under a lot of pressure from his boss to make the new wing a success.

Is it true youve made Dustin Stern an member of the museum staff? Wilson asked.

Dr. Farah nodded, but he looked less than thrilled. Indeed, he said.

Hes so lucky! Wilson said. Dont most of the staff have real expertise in some branch of the sciences?

Thats true, Dr. Farah said. Most of them have their . Weve actually never made anyone an honorary staff member before.

So why this time? Amal asked. Ive been wondering.

Mr. Stern insisted, Dr. Farah said with a shrug. He said hes always wanted to be a staff member here. It was more important to him than what exhibit the wing would house. To make sure we got the donation, I hired him without pay.

No pay? Raining said. He agreed to that?

Well, hes already a millionaire, for one thing, Dr. Farah said. But mainly its because honorary means were honoring him. Were showing our appreciation for what hes done for the museum with the donation and new wing. Its not really a job.

Can we go inside now? Amal asked. Shed heard enough. She was excited to see how the Space Exploration Hall had been decked out for the luncheon.

Sure, sure, Dr. Farah said. Youre at table number twelve.

Come on, guys, Amal said. See you later, Dad!

Dr. Farah waved at her but kept his eyes on his phone. Where is he? he muttered.

Amal led her friends into the hall. The high ceiling was always something to behold: a powered mobile display of the entire Milky Way galaxy. It twinkled and swirled like a real night sky.

But today the hall was even more impressive than usual. It was filled with tables covered in white cloths. Each table had a fancy-looking bouquet of white flowers and was set with shining gold-and-white plates, glittering crystal glasses, and gold utensils.

At the front was a stage which held a podium and three big flat-screen displays. Amal recognized some of the museum staff milling around, all dressed for the occasion. Her fathers boss was there too, carefully observing. The catering staffall in tuxedoshurried to and fro, preparing for the lunch.

Wow, Clementine said. This is amazing. Its like a royal wedding in here.

The four kids found table twelve near the back of the hall and took their seats. They sat very still, all too nervous and excited to touch the fancy plates, forks, and glasses.

When Wilson took a sip from his water glass, the ice cubes clinked, breaking the silence. The friends all jumped and laughed.