In both phases, students will practice skills in estimation, measurement, computation, recordation, practical problem-solving, experimentation, observation, cooperation, collaboration, communication, and stewardship by doing. Approximately 15 high school students from a nearby private school would serve as consultants and guides to the elementary students. This private high school has a geodesic dome on their campus already and they want to help build another one, and share this positive experience. Waikoloa Village is situated in the wind tunnel that runs between Mauna Loa and Fauna Kea mountains on the Big Island of Hawaii. Winds are regularly in the 20-40 m.p.h. range, gusting up to 70 m.p.h. during the winter and spring months.
Sustained winds destroy almost all outside plant projects.
The Dome Home would offer the wind barrier needed to enjoy horticultural or agricultural experiences. Except for the need for a wind barrier, this is an ideal growing environment with plenty of sunshine and a year-round growing season. Elementary students of all ages can then have the opportunity to work with the earth and have the joyful, educational experience of growing herbs, vegetables, fruits, flowers, and indigenous Hawaiian plants. The Dome Home would be available for use to all 420 students on campus, and for their benefit. Teachers and students are certainly doing projects in class with plants and animals, but on a much smaller scale than envisioned in this project.