Maya

Opening

Maya: Everyone in my family has a superpower. Mine is knowing I’m right.

Reply: You’re not.

Maya Cruz

13 years old · Main character

Big ideas. Big heart. Sometimes too fast.

Rafael Cruz

Dad · Ideas & solutions

I can solve problems nobody else can solve.

Finishing them is a different story…

Elena Cruz

Mom · Keeps everyone grounded

Someone has to keep this family in reality.

Her notebook: Plan. People. Perspective. Progress.

Theo Park

13 years old · Best friend

I think before doing things. Usually.

Zuri Patel

13 years old · Rival (but also friend)

I detect nonsense. And I call it like it is.

Ms. Chen

Teacher · Asks the right question

Maya… why do you think that?

The most dangerous question Maya can hear.

Closing

Maya: With this much intelligence around me… what could possibly go wrong?

Next: Maya discovers artificial intelligence.

Maya Episode 2: Discovers artificial intelligence

Same girl. Bigger ideas.

A school assignment

Maya: Ugh... I have to write a presentation about a real-world problem. So boring.

Maya thinks: There has to be a better way...

A new idea

Maya: Wait... What if I use AI?

Maya: It can help me research, organize ideas and even create images? That’s awesome!

Getting help from Dad

Maya: Dad, can you show me how this works?

Dad: Sure! Think of it as a super assistant. You give it a good question and it helps you explore ideas faster.

Maya: So it’s like having 1,000 ideas per minute?

Dad: Exactly. But you still need to think, verify and make it your own.

First try

Maya: Okay, let’s ask... ‘Give me a complete presentation about plastic pollution in Canada.’

Laptop: Generating...

Not so fast...

Maya: Hmm... this is basic, kind of generic, and not really what I need.

Maya: So AI doesn’t do everything for me?

Learning the right way

The plan: Ask better questions. Be specific. Use real sources. Add my own ideas. Create something they actually like.

Maya: Okay... this is actually fun. I can use AI to explore ideas, but it’s MY project.

Showing the crew

Theo: Wow! This looks great!

Zuri: Okay, now that’s next level.

Maya: I just started. Watch what I can do next!

Elena: Told you... Big ideas.

Next...

Maya thinks: If AI can help me with a school project... what else can it help me with?

Next episode: A bigger idea.

The Message

Same girl. Bigger ideas. Real life keeps getting interesting.

Big ideas. Real life.

A new story.

An unexpected email

Maya: Whoa... What is this?

From: FutureMakers Lab. Subject: You’re Invited.

Hi Maya, We’ve been following your ideas and would like to invite you to a small group of 13–16 year olds working on real-world projects using AI. This is by invitation only.

Learn more →

Is this real?

Maya: This looks amazing... but is it real?

Checklist: Real organization? Who are they? Why me? Is it safe? What do they want?

Time to investigate

Maya: Okay... let’s check this out.

FutureMakers Lab: Youth innovation program. Real company. Featured in news articles. Works with schools and partners. Focus on AI for real-world impact.

FutureMakers Lab empowers youth to solve real problems with AI.

Telling my friends

Friend: This is huge! You have to do this!

Friend: It’s either a big opportunity... or a really smart scam.

Friend: Either way... this is 100% so Maya.

Dad’s perspective

Dad: This sounds real. Just be careful. Ask questions. Verify everything. And keep me in the loop.

Dad: This could be a great opportunity if it’s legit.

My decision

Maya: I’m going to ask for more information.

Maya: If this is real... this could be exactly what I’ve been looking for.

A reply

From: FutureMakers Lab. Subject: Re: You’re Invited.

Hi Maya, Great to hear from you. We’d love for you to join a small group meeting this Saturday. We’ll share more details there. Location and time will be shared after you confirm. — The FutureMakers Lab Team

Maya: A real meeting? This is happening...

But something feels different...

Maya: Why did they choose me? What exactly do they want?

A mysterious hooded figure appears.

Next: The Meeting →

The Meeting

Maya 04

A real invitation

Theo: That does not make it less suspicious.

Maya: They’re real.

Zuri: If it’s a scam, it’s a very organized scam.

Meeting Invitation — FutureMakers Lab. People. Ideas. A Kinder Tomorrow.

You’re invited to a meeting about your AI project. Tue, Apr 16, 10:00 AM (ET). Video Call. Join Meeting.

Good advice

Dad: Smart people ask questions.

Mom: And smart people do not click random things without thinking.

Dad’s mug: Good ideas. Better people.

The meeting begins

Dr. Priya Nair, Program Lead, FutureMakers Lab: Hi, Maya. Thanks for joining us.

Maya: You really saw my project?

What stood out

Dr. Priya Nair: We did. What stood out wasn’t just the idea. It was how you used AI as a tool, not a shortcut.

Why me?

Maya: So... why me?

Dr. Priya Nair: Because big ideas are easy. Young people who can shape them thoughtfully are rare.

The challenge

Dr. Priya Nair: We’re inviting you to the challenge.

FutureMakers Lab — Young Creators Challenge. 48 hours. Real problem. Small team.

Maya: Challenge?

A quick yes?

Theo: Small team?

Zuri: Please tell me you didn’t already say yes.

Maya: I may have said... probably.

It’s happening

Challenge brief unlocks in 10 seconds.

Maya: Wait—TEN seconds?!

Next: The Team. →

The Event

On the way

Maya thinks: Today is the meeting... I’m excited... but also nervous.

Theo: We’ve got this.

Zuri: Whatever happens, we go together.

FutureMakers Lab

Friend: Wow... this looks real.

Friend: I didn’t think it would be this big.

Sign: FutureMakers Lab. Young People. Real Ideas. A Brighter Tomorrow.

Check-in

Staff: Hi Maya! Welcome to FutureMakers Lab. We’ve been following your project. We’re impressed.

Maya: You... know about my project?

Staff: Yes. Let me show you to the main room.

The main room

Stage: Ideas today. A brighter tomorrow.

Speaker: You are not just students. You are problem solvers.

Speaker: We’re looking for young creators who use technology to make a real impact in the world.

Why me?

Maya thinks: This is exactly what I dreamed of... ...but why me?

Questions

Theo: Maybe they saw your project online.

Maya: But I only shared it with my class...

Zuri: Could someone else have recommended you?

Zuri: Or maybe they’re finding students in other ways.

A special invitation

FutureMakers Lab. To: Maya Cruz. Subject: Special invitation.

Hi Maya, Based on your project, we would like to invite you to join a select group of young creators (ages 13–16) for a special program...

Maya: Wait... ages 13–16? But I’m 13. How did they find me if I never applied?

Someone is waiting

A silhouetted figure: Maya? We’ve been expecting you.

Maya: Who are you?

What do they really want from my ideas? →