Chapter 45: Tech wizards

The weekend passed by quickly and another school week had started. The school was decorated with tinsel and lights. Jeffrey was standing outside a large red metal door. The plaque next to it read, room 112 Multi-media room.

This was the journalism club and a few of its members had already arrived. They were carrying purple folders with various scripts inside. One of the students had a camera bag while the other was busy logging in to the school computer and connecting to wifi.

Although they had a small presence, the journalism club was probably one of the most tech savvy and well connected kids in the school. They knew every club on campus and some businesses in their city would sponsor their show.

Jeffrey didn't know it, but he had accidentally stumbled into one of their meeting days. Which was just as well, because he wouldn't have to try and pitch his science project while they were recording a livestream and making videos.

"Hey guys would any of you like to check out a new project I've been working on. We're calling it Art slime and Tanoshi Oobleck", Jeffrey pulled out two jars of from the newest batch he had made last weekend.

"You're that kid, the one selling slime and Oobleck in school?", one of the kids with a black backpack looked up from his work.

"Uh, one of them I guess", Jeffrey was a little nervous at the sudden enthusiasm.

"Wow awesome! I was wondering who you guys were", the kid wearing a shark hoodie extended his hand out.

Jeffrey shook his hand a little confused.

"Sorry for not introducing myself, my name's Liam. Liam Carson I'm the deputy editor of our school journalism club", Liam introduced himself.

"Yeah my name's Jeffrey. I'm one of the three members of the slime factory. We were working on a science project and wanted to get more people interested in our project", Jeffrey offered.

"Uh, would anyone like to try out the new types of Slime we created. They're designed to be a satisfying experience or a good decoration for your room", Jeffrey pulled out the two jars.

"We're going to have to ask our student advisor Christen Benoit if we make any club purchases. However if you wait a little bit you can join us for first period. Mrs. Benoit usually gives us a late pass for those who don't have 1st period free", Liam mentioned.

Jeffrey immediately wanted to brush it off and run away like he usually would. Maybe it would be best to get Preston or Samantha to do it. However, sensing a crossroad before him Jeffrey decided to go against his gut instinct and do something spontaneous even if it meant heading into a catastrophe.

Jeffrey decided to stay, "Yeah sure, I'll hang around for first period."

"Awesome that's great. You want to tell us a little bit about what you have in your hands there?", Liam offered.

"My friends and I were working on different types of liquids and we came across this idea that some liquids moved faster or slower than others. Discovering this new property, we focused on what we could make with it", Jeffrey first discussed the science aspect before assigning credit to his friends

"Preston suggested making various different types like one's you could hold or do different things. Samantha actually was a huge inspiration for adding various smells and scents to act like a scented candle or clean hands. I was just lucky enough to come along and work with them", Jeffrey took to hiding his credit behind others.

Liam's photographer took a few camera photos, while one had a microphone tape recorder.

Soon enough, the room was unlocked and Shelley Benoit had gathered everyone into the yearbook and journalism room.

"Welcome everyone, Just really quickly you guys have worked really hard gathering photos and moments from various events so everyone give yourselves a round of applause", Shelley started off the meeting with some good news.

Inside the room, there was a small amount of applause before it went silent.

"Just a few key takeaways before we start recording and split up. Does anyone have any interesting news to share today?", Shelley asked.

Two girls in the back raised their hands.

Shelley pointed to both of them.

"Roquel and Chloe, you guys want to go first?"

One of the girls spoke up, "We were interviewing one of the PTA members who were organizing a nature hike and trash clean up in one of the local park areas. The camping activities has really started creating a lot of litter on the various trails"

"Nice job Chloe, that would be something we could focus on for next week. Anyone else?", Mrs. Benoit asked.

a few more hands were raised.

"Yes, Camilla you have something to say?", Mrs. Benoit motioned for her to speak.

"Yeah, I have a quick suggestion for yearbook. It's so awesome that you guys are taking great photos of people's faces and activities, however could you guys include a few more action shots of the events?", Camilla suggested to the photography department

"We're missing some of the materials for things like the quiz bowl competitions and the soccer matches. Otherwise, you guys have some great photos of the team captains and their members. I really liked the one where the basketball team shook hands with the faculty in the last teacher student match", Camilla sat back down.

"That's a great suggestion from the editing team", Mrs. Benoit moved on quickly. She glanced at the time making sure that everyone wouldn't be too late to their 1st period classes.

"Liam do you have anything to add?", Mrs. Benoit called on the newly elected Deputy editor.

"Yeah, I found Jeffrey here outside our club room", Liam introduced the guest he brought with him.

"He's one of the kids that's been selling Oobleck around the school", Liam explained.

"Apparently it's a science project that they've been promoting and Jeffrey would probably be one of the best people to explain it", Liam nodded his head at Jeffrey.

Everyone turned to look at the guest in the room.

Jeffrey was silent for a moment, so Mrs. Benoit was about to step in.

"Would you like to introduce yourself, Jeffrey?", Mrs. Benoit gently guided him to speak.

Jeffrey paused for a moment to mentally kick himself and started to speak up.

"Yeah, so me and my group of friends have been doing a science experiment with different liquids and materials. We stumbled upon an idea of a liquid that also can act as a solid", Jeffrey was a little nervous at first, but tried to keep things short.

"Similar to how ice can change into water or a gas, it's called a non-newtonian material. I won't explain all the science right now, but you can check it out at the county science fair we plan to submit it at. We added a few things to make it change color, glow, pick up dust, and act as an air freshener", Jeffrey touted a jar of glow-in-the-dark Oobleck. It had a dim red glow to it.

Jeffrey also presented a jar of Art slime, using a flashlight he shone a light through the clear glue to make it reflect all over the room and appear as if they were gold stars.

There were a few more discussion and pieces of news, however while Liam was discussing with some of the group leaders. Jeffrey was approached by some of the other club members.

"Woah, how did you make it?", one of the writers in the room asked.

"It took a lot of experimenting, but it took a lot of art supplies and materials. The most difficult material to work with is the chemistry of borax or liquid starch", Jeffrey answered.