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The elementary school gymnasium provided me with haunting memories of a distant past. Thirty-seven science projects covered folding tables arranged in rows, each one labeled with construction paper signs and glitter that got everywhere. Parents clustered in small groups, their voices echoing off the cinder block walls.

I stood near the twins' robot display, watching Jase and Bonnie chat with another couple by the water fountain experiment three tables over. They'd already seen the presentation, congratulated the kids on their third-place ribbon. Now they networked, because I guess that's what parents did at these things.

"Uncle Code!" Lachlan bounced up to me, the yellow ribbon clutched in his fist. "We got third place! Out of thirty-seven projects!"

His excitement was contagious. The kid practically vibrated with pride.

"That's great, buddy. Your robot did a great job."

"It only dropped one aluminum can." He held up a single finger. "Just one!”

Amber stood behind her brother, arms crossed, a scowl carved deep into her face. She looked exactly like Bonnie when Jase forgot to take out the trash last night.

"Third place," she muttered. "We should have won."

"Third out of thirty-seven is really good," Lachlan said.

"Good isn't first." Amber's jaw set tight. "We made an actual working robot."

Lachlan's shoulders dropped. His sister's anger deflated him faster than a punctured balloon.

"Hey, Lachlan, why don't you go show your parents the ribbon?" I nodded toward Jase and Bonnie. "I bet they'd love to see it again."

He brightened immediately and took off running, nearly knocking over a solar system model made of Styrofoam balls.

I turned to Amber. "Want to take a walk?"

"Why?"

"Thought we might check out the competition. All of it."

Her eyes narrowed, calculating. Smart kid. She knew I had an angle but couldn't figure it out yet.

"Fine."

We started with the third-grade projects. Potato batteries, magnets picking up paperclips, plants grown under different-colored lights. Basic stuff. Amber barely glanced at them.

The other fourth-grade projects showed more sophistication. A kid named Trevor had built a working telegraph. Another girl created a water filtration system using sand and charcoal.

"These are better," Amber admitted.

“Than yours?”

“No, but they’re getting there,” she admitted.

The fifth-grade section was where things got interesting. More complex concepts, better execution. We methodically worked through every ribbon winner, regardless of grade level.

We stopped at the second-place overall winner. A fifth-grade girl named Samantha had constructed a miniature greenhouse with automatic vents. Small motors opened windows when the thermometer inside got too hot. She'd used the same kit as the twins' robot, but her code looked cleaner.

"Evaluate it," I said.

"Why?"

"Just do it."

Amber circled the display twice. She read every line of the poster board explanation. Studied the wiring through the clear plastic walls. Even lifted the base to check underneath.