Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion Map on the 90th Meridian under the miniature-earth Geoscope dome.
See how Buckminster Fuller’s ideas relate to your specific department, school, college, or field of study:
Anthropology – Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion Map's emphasis on interconnectedness, its ability to provide new perspectives, and its potential for visualizing complex data align with the academic pursuits of anthropology. This more accurate world map is a useful aid in studying people's movements, migration, and the connections between human societies across the globe. continue reading…
Art and Design - Buckminster Fuller's ideas have a strong connection to the academic pursuits of the college of Art and Design, primarily through his concept of Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science. This approach emphasizes using design and science to anticipate and solve future problems in a comprehensive way. Fuller's legacy in areas like systems thinking, sustainable design, and holistic problem-solving remains highly relevant to Art and Design, inspiring students to approach design challenges with an integrated and forward-thinking perspective. continue reading…
Engineering - Buckminster Fuller's ideas encourage engineers to think beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, prioritize resource efficiency and sustainability, embrace holistic problem-solving, and leverage design and innovation to address global challenges. While his work was not always easily integrated into traditional academic circles, his enduring vision continues to inspire engineers to build a more sustainable and equitable future. continue reading…
Geography - Buckminster Fuller's ideas offer a framework for a global, interconnected perspective on the world. His tools, like the Dymaxion map and Geoscope, align with the geographic approach to data visualization and analysis. His emphasis on sustainability and resource management resonates with crucial areas of geographic study. Engaging with Fuller's work can help geography students gain a deeper understanding of global challenges and opportunities, which could lead to innovative solutions for a better future. continue reading…
Environmental Sciences - Buckminster Fuller's vision and concepts, especially his focus on comprehensive design, resource efficiency, and interconnected systems, are very relevant to environmental sciences. His ideas support innovative solutions for environmental challenges and the creation of a more sustainable future. continue reading…
Mathematics and Statistics - By engaging with Buckminster Fuller's legacy, students in a College of Mathematics, Statistics, and Data Science can gain a deeper appreciation for the potential of data-driven approaches, geometrical principles, systems thinking, and innovative design in addressing complex global challenges. continue reading…
Philosophy - Fuller's ideas and approach offer a framework for engaging with philosophical questions through tangible action and real-world problem-solving. He provides a compelling example of how philosophical thinking can be translated into concrete efforts to improve the world for all. continue reading…
Sociology - Buckminster Fuller's ideas have strong relevance to the academic pursuits of a college of sociology, particularly in areas like social organization, resource management, and social change. Fuller's ideas provide inspiration for sociological inquiry into the design, organization, and potential improvement of human societies on a global scale. continue reading…
Political Science, Economics, and Public Administration – Buckminster Fuller's ideas allow for students and in political science, economics, and public administration to tackle complex global challenges. His emphasis on comprehensive thinking, sustainable design, resource efficiency, and global cooperation provides a powerful lens through which to analyze and address critical issues facing humanity. continue reading…
The Fuller Dome as an Extension of Your Classroom
The Fuller Dome on the SIUE campus can be your on-campus field trip destination for experiential learning and data-visualization. The Fuller Dome is a miniature-earth geodesic dome that, it's creator, Buckminster Fuller referred to as a “Geoscope.” This term coined by Fuller to describe the dome at SIUE is built from the root words “geo” (earth) and “scope” (view). Fuller’s Geoscope concept is about giving its visitors a new and potentially transformative world view..
Fuller Dome Provides:
World Resource Simulation Sessions
• Enhanced Data Visualization
Playing of the World Peace Game
• Experiential Immersive Learning
Miniature-Earth Geoscope Tours
• A Unique Shift in World View
Experiencing the unique vantage point of seeing your place in the world from the heart of the miniature-earth dome, and looking at the world from the inside out provides students with a profound shift in perspective. They can begin to see things differently. This inside out perspective of unified planetary wholeness leads students into a wider perspective that can facilitate the discussion of broader, social, scientific, political, philosophical, environmental and engineering patterns. This wholistic view spontaneously leads students into systems-thinking and interdisciplinary considerations that unifies the formerly siloed model of specialized and separated schools study areas. Like the geodesic architectural structure of the dome itself, this space puts the emphasis on relationships and connections.
“Simulation Session” • Bring your students into the Fuller Dome for am immersive data visualization experience
In addition to offering a unique wold view, Fuller’s Geoscope concept was also intended to be a space for enhanced data visualization. In the mid 1960’s Fuller proposed a 400 ft spherical structure for the SIUE campus that he called the “World Resource Simulation Center.” That building was never constructed, but in 1971 the miniature-earth dome was constructed by Fuller and today it offers a version of his proposed “Simulation Center” in the form of six 70” monitors linked to laptops to vet information, research data and review best practices in real time, accelerating the arrival of novel solutions to contemporary challenges.
“World Peace Game” • Stand upon Fuller’s Dymaxion Map to represent our global population distribution
Gather a group of students for the playing of Buckminster Fuller’s World Peace Game. While a professor at SIU, Fuller conceived the World Peace Game to be played out on an enormous version of his, 1946 patented, Dymaxion Map. Participants will stand on a 27ft by 12ft version of Fuller’s world map representing our global population distribution across the continents. They will be assigned natural and technological resources corresponding to the populations they represent and tasked with figuring out ways to work together across the planet to avert conflict. The game is intended to model solutions to realize Fuller’s goal “to make the world work for 100% of humanity in the shortest possible time through spontaneous cooperation without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.”
“Geoscope” • Look at the world from the inside out in this miniature-earth dome
the Fuller Dome at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), designed by Buckminster Fuller and Shoji Sadao, is considered the only existing example of Fuller's "Geoscope" idea. Fuller envisioned the Geoscope as a spherical, translucent, miniature earth building that would provide its occupants with a unique perspective to see their place in the world and the world's place in the universe. He described it as providing "a sense of orientation of each human individual within the profound magnificence of Universe". The dome's design and location are key to this concept. It is a miniature representation of Earth, positioned to straddle the 90th longitudinal meridian. When inside the dome, due to its geodesic form and alignment with the meridian, you can perceive yourself at the center of a miniature Earth, looking outwards to the stars. Fuller believed that by experiencing this interconnectedness, individuals could develop a more informed and holistic perspective on global issues and their role as "Planetary Citizens".
5-Days of Fuller
On the 90th Day of 2025, on the 90th Meridian, the Fuller Dome hosted a historic gathering to activate the programs described above.