Last October, students in Ms. Carmichael’s class took on a hands-on project: building eight Leopold benches, which now serve as a thoughtful bridge among the school’s three divisions. Designed for observing and appreciating the outdoors, they are more than just places to sit as they are a symbol of connection, collaboration, and community.

The project was a collaborative effort between the Environmental Writing class and the MakerSpace team, with special thanks to Mr. Martin, Mr. Fish, and Ms. Cherry. “Building Leopold Benches was a really fun experience and a great way to expand our study of environmental writing beyond the classroom,” said junior Miranda B-Y.

Two are now placed in the Learning Meadow, two on the middle school playground, two are in the garden near the Greenhouse, one is by the basketball court, and another is near the oak tree at the bus circle. The placement of the benches was a thoughtful process, guided by Mr. Young, the Director of Grounds, and Ms. Carmichael, who considered where the benches would be most useful and appreciated.

The class constructed the benches in teams of three to four, completing the work in just two class periods, thanks to the materials prepared by Mr. Martin. While the first round of benches built in 2018 took longer to build, this second round went more smoothly due to experience and planning. Impressively, the original 2018 benches are still in use today.

Named after Aldo Leopold, an American writer and conservationist, the bench was designed to be an ideal place to sit and observe nature. Ms. Carmichael’s  inspiration came from reading Leopold’s essays, which emphasize the value of slowing down and paying attention to the natural world.

This project demonstrates how a shared effort between classes and departments can lead to something both meaningful and lasting. The Leopold benches now stand as a testament to environmental stewardship, creativity, and the power of student collaboration.