Photo by Laura Meinhardt from Pexels

By Lucy Wyndham

Universal questions such as how the first stars and galaxies formed and what the nature of dark matter and energy fascinate budding scientists.

But, the truth is that in current times, the world of astronomy is lacking in diversity, with Nature.com reporting that Astronomy is struggling to retain women early in their careers. Furthermore, Forbes reports that the percentage of black physicists and astronomers is comparatively low. To bring about a positive change in this area, North Dakota University Geodome is aiming to instil a passion for the stars and other celestial bodies in more students, with two Geodome systems that have been open since 2009. Since this year, they have used a Geodome Theater System to project images pertaining to astronomy and in 2018, they converted an aerospace dome on campus into a customized GeoDome Evolver. The latter serves two important purposes—education and astronomy.

What is a Geodome?

There are many geodomes across the globe—ranging from the Reichstag Dome in Berlin to the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver. Geodomes are used as holiday accommodation as well as tourist attractions, emergency shelters, greenhouses, climbers for children, and more. Geodomes are usually lightweight, easy to construct, scalable, and aerodynamic. They also insulate efficiently, which is why they can be so comfortable to live in. Luxury companies across the globe offer dome stays in which guests can literally gaze at the stars from their beds or live in a sphere in a remote, nature- or desert-filled zone.

The Educational Aspect of Geodomes

North Dakota University is centering on the educational benefits of geodomes, whose flexibility and (in some cases) portability. The UND GeoDome, for instance, is a portable planetarium system that visits K-12 schools across North Dakota to spark students’ interest in astronomy. Various simulations are visualized in this type of dome—including those covering physics, meteorology, biology, and astronomy.  This attractive construction can also be used to cover subjects such as the weather and climate, biomes, forest fires, and the like.

The Popularity of the UND Geodome

Thus far, kids’ reaction to the geodome has been immensely positive. Testimonials include the sense of joy and adventure provided by the ability to virtually hop from planet to planet or simply explore outer space. The dome is additionally an excellent way of teaching children about the actual size of the universe and galaxies. When the UND Geodome has visited schools, the focus has always been on education, not only about outer space but also the current state of the planet and its biggest threats—which include climate change and water scarcity. The dome is also used to teach students about different cultures and the importance of the stars. For instance, Astrophysicist, Dr. Timothy Young, captured students’ imagination with a show on the Native American interpretation of the sky.

Geodomes are very much the buzzword in the world of architecture and luxury accommodation. Domes are light, adaptable, and aerodynamic and they make the perfect spot for a vacation, greenhouse, emergency shelter, and so much more. North Dakota University is focusing on the geodome’s educational abilities, in the hopes of engaging students in the wonder of astronomy, environmental studies, climate change, and more.