by Marcus W. 8th grade
Characters
Character Description:
ANNA: (40s) Park Ranger and field educator.
MR. CHEN: (30s) Energetic Middle School Science
Teacher.
STUDENTS: (12-14) A small group of middle schoolers.
SCENE START
FADE IN:
1. REDWOOD FOREST – MORNING
The sun rises above the towering spires of Redwood trees. Mist covers the ground near the thick, mighty roots. The forest is tranquil in the morning dew. ANNA walks down a winding trail, followed by MR. CHEN and a group of STUDENTS. Hidden birds
chirp, breaking the calm morning silence.
2. REDWOOD BASE – CONTINUOUS
Anna stops at the base of a Redwood, running her hand over its wavy and bony bark.
ANNA: These are some of the oldest trees in the woods. They have been thriving, adapting for centuries. She kneels and
gestures to the thick, damp soil.
ANNA: Sustainability starts right here. These roots are embedded in the soil, working with it to keep everything alive.
MR. CHEN: She’s right. These trees are sheltering other plants. It’s a perfect, self-contained system. That’s the goal of
conservation.
3. FOREST PATH – LATER
The sunlight grows stronger; the forest becomes lively as the day unfolds.
Anna points to a huge, decaying log where tiny saplings are sprouting.
ANNA: Look at the remains from the past. The dead one is feeding the living ones. It’s recycling.
STUDENT 1: So it never really dies.
MR. CHEN: Exactly. We have to be partners to this cycle, not obstacles. Our project today is to keep it clean. Even a tiny piece
of plastic can interrupt this perfect,
sustainable process.
The students nod, pulling out small bags and gloves. The forest provides shade from the heat of the daylight as they work.
4. MONTAGE – DAY
A. The Students spread out, carefully picking up micro-trash along the trail. B. Mr. Chen helps a student
measure a young sapling near a massive root.
ANNA: You learn patience here. You learn that the greatest strength is being rooted and ready to shelter the next generation.
FADE OUT.
SCENE END
