By Dale Neal, published in citizen times, January 2007


ASHEVILLE — Hands-on learning is one thing, but students can actually put their feet on this lesson plan.

It's a map of the world that can be unfolded across a gymnasium floor, which lets students amble around the globe for a better understanding of problems facing the planet.

The Dymaxion Map and other projects will be showcased from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Jubilee!, 46 Wall St. Asheville residents can get a better idea of the big picture and problems facing the local community and possible solutions generated by last summer's Design Science Lab at UNC Asheville.

The Dymaxion map was invented by the visionary thinker Buckminster Fuller, who taught at the experimental Black Mountain College outside Asheville in the late '40s. Fuller's ideas have seen a renaissance in Asheville with a Design Science Lab last summer. More than 30 people gathered at UNC Asheville for 10 days of systematic study devised by Fuller to help individuals come up with solutions to community and global problems.

"I think there's a real buzz in town that individuals and groups can make positive change by slowly doing projects and committing to doing something personally," said Suzanne Watson, who attended the Lab.

Together with Marnie Muller and Mark Hanff, Watson formed the nonprofit Earth Voyage to bring the experience of Fuller's Dymaxion Map to middle school students in the area.

Watson said the Thursday showcase at Jubilee! will discuss making the Design Science Lab a permanent think tank in Asheville, "more focused on local issues."

Robin Cape, an Asheville City Council member who participated in the lab, said she would like to see the event cut back from 10 days to allow more people to participate.

"What was useful was learning how we can approach problem solving using Buckminster Fuller's techniques. I do think it’s a good process," she said.