sarah dole is sri lankan, but has been living in the maldives for over a decade, and has dedicated herselfnably. so first of all, you know, we had to study the fundamentals. so at mit, they are studying the fundamental physics and engineering of it. so, like, trying to understand, how does a sandbank actually form? and that, we've done through satellite imagery and drone footage and, you know, talking to other locals around here, trying to understand the historical data of how sandbanks appear and disappear. five years ago, sarah partnered up with the scientists from the self—assembly lab at mit, the massachusetts institute of technology in the us. the growing islands project is about naturally accumulating sand in the ocean without sculpting or pumping sand, but letting the ocean accumulate it on its own and guiding it, or collaborating with the ocean to promote the accumulation in certain areas where you want it or need it. skylar tibbits and his team simulate the conditions of the pacific ocean and the movement of the sand. they place different—shaped objects in the environment to see w