Design charrettes have a rich history going back to 19th century France and the École des Beaux-Arts. Students of architecture and city planning would come together for intense periods of collaborative design, working to their deadlines as students do, at which point carts would go around to collect their finished designs, scale models, and so on, to be reviewed and judged. Students would be “in the charrette,” working right up to the last moment to finish and polish their work —with the kind of inspiration that only manifests under pressure — even as it was en route for evaluation. 

During a recent reunion weekend for IslandWood Urban Environmental Education (UEE) and Education for Environment and Community (EEC) alumni, IslandWood faculty Dr. Priya Pugh and Renée Comesotti adapted the design charrette to reimagine the landscape of IslandWood’s School Overnight Program. This provided a special opportunity to tap into these passionate educators’ collective creativity and experience.  

Rooted in “observing and wondering,” we prompted our alumni to reflect on their experiences since graduating and envision a week-long model program for teaching 4th-6th grade students. The goal was to tap into their collective wisdom and passion for equitable education, creating inspired and inspiring curriculum designs for current and future generations. With the help of Campus Program Coordinator Maggie Schaefers, alums were ready to start designing!    

The response was nothing short of inspiring. Our alumni, now seasoned educators, brought forth a wealth of ideas, insights, and creativity. Through lively discussions and brainstorming sessions, they embraced the challenge of crafting innovative programs that blended practicality with visionary thinking.  

What emerged from the design charrette were beautiful, imaginative designs that captured the essence of IslandWood’s values—immersing students in nature, fostering curiosity, and nurturing a sense of connection to the world around them. These designs not only reflected the passion and dedication of our alumni but also showcased the transformative potential of outdoor environmental education. 

Moreover, the collaborative nature of the charrette strengthened the bonds within our alumni community. As they shared their triumphs, challenges, and aspirations, they found support, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose. Plans for future collaborations were hatched, and resources were shared, enriching the network of educators dedicated to creating positive change in the world. In Renée’s words, “There was a lot of discussion about the participants’ current work, triumphs, challenges, and possibilities, and sometimes their loneliness in their work, alongside a lot of problem-solving and sharing of resources, empathy, and ideas. It was a phenomenon.” 

As we look to the future, we are excited to continue guiding grads on their path to being creative, empathetic educators with their students — among the trees, connecting to the world and one another, full of excitement and uncertainty, busy being scientists finding meaning in investigation and joy in the unexpected. Kids and educators are learning together, working toward a shared and thriving future. The kind of thing we see at IslandWood every day.    

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