Mendham High School Geodesic Dome Greenhouse: 2011

West Morris Mendham High School will soon have a Sustainable Center of Excellence. Janice Dimiceli, Behavior Support Instructor, and Nancy Ellis, Culinary Arts Instructor, wrote a proposal for a solar Geodesic Dome greenhouse. The proposal was submitted to David Leigh, Director of Special Services, and was approved by the Board of Education earlier this year. The project is being funded through ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). This hands-on learning center will focus on students with special needs, but will allow all Mendham High School students the opportunity to participate in a sustainable, closed-loop teaching center. Students will grow their own food and learn the importance of eating minimally processed fresh produce. Additionally, students will be a part of decreasing the carbon footprint of our school community and have available to them a year round living laboratory. All teachers will have the opportunity to work collaboratively to develop co-curricular learning activities.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Preparing the Planting Beds

Top soil is delivered to the site.

Bags of soil line the planting bed walls.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Alan Werthan From Growing Spaces Talks to Classes About The Dome

Ms. Ellis and Ms. Dimiceli (organizers of the dome project) are pictured with Alan Werthan, from Growing Spaces, the Colorado company that produced the dome. Mr. Werthan talked with classes about the dome this week.

Alan Werthan discussing the dome with students and Ms. Ellis.

Planting beds were constructed using cinder blocks. The beds are 16" high and 30" wide and will be filled with soil. Black tubes run through the beds and will take warmth from the ground to help keep the dome warm in the winter. In the summer they will circulate cool air to help keep the dome cool.

Taping the Joints Between the Polycarbonate Panels

Eric taping the joints between polycarbonate panels to seal the dome. Eric is not wearing shoes so as not to scratch the panels!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Sophia the ferret visits the dome. Installation of Fountain.

A solar powered pump and fountain are installed on the water tank.

Eric is digging a trench to install the perimeter insulation. The insulation prevents frost from penetrating under the wall of the Dome. So despite outside temp fluctuations, the entire soil mass maintains an even temp.

Sophia the ferret visits the dome.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Water Tank Installation

Silvio and Glenn work to install the water tank.

The water tank is the "Power Pack" of the Dome. The water mass keeps the Dome warm in the winter and cool in the summer creating optimum environmental conditions for year round growth. It can be used as a space for aquatic plants and for growing fish we will be doing both.

Fish Tank

Friday, April 15, 2011

A View Inside the Dome

Work continues inside the dome. Installing insulation on the north side and installing automatic vents and a solar powered fan.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Working in the Rain

Work continues despite the weather.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Polycarbonate Panels Added

Polycarbonate Panels are added to the structure. They will provide a translucent weatherproof covering. Four of the triangular panels are hinged for venting.