Thinking Huts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building the first 3D printed school in partnership with a community in Southeastern Madagascar.
Project Description
Thinking Huts is on a mission to increase global access to education.
In our pilot project, we will be building the first 3D printed school in partnership with SEED Madagascar, a local nonprofit that has worked in the Southeastern Anosy region of Madagascar for over 20 years. Our technology partner is Hyperion Robotics, based in Finland with more than 9 years of 3D printing expertise.
According to UNESCO, over 260 million children do not have access to education. In Madagascar, 60% of the 1.3 million primary-age students are not enrolled in school due to overcrowding and insufficient investment in education infrastructure.
Building 3D printed schools will help solve the issue of overcrowding, create opportunities, decrease construction time & environmental waste. Aligning ourselves with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 9, we are supporting quality education, industrial innovation & infrastructure.
Thinking Huts originated in the office of the founder's dad as they discussed the future of technology and the root causes from which many problems in the world stem.
Adopted from China, our founder knew that life could have been drastically different and from that realization bloomed a desire to create opportunities through education by combining the potential of technology with humanitarian-driven goals. That conversation with her dad began the pursuit of an idea initially deemed ambitiously crazy.
I hope you consider joining us on our journey to build the first 3D printed school.
Thank you for your support! :)
Sincerely,
Maggie Grout
Founder
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do you 3D print a school?
- An architectural scale printer will extrude the construction material by building the walls from the ground up, layer by layer. The finished school will be a hybrid of 3D printed walls and locally-sourced materials for the roof, doors, windows.
How will 3D printing solve the education crisis?
- We are not promising an end to all the problems that surround education but we are promising a start. Insufficient physical infrastructure is one of the largest barriers to education. 3D printing will bridge the opportunity gap and encourage innovation.
In order to solve many of the SDGs, we must get to the root of the issue which is education. Education lifts economies, prevents health epidemics, and empowers communities with the fundamental skills to create more solutions.
How does sustainability factor in?
- 3D printing decreases the amount of concrete used, decreases human labor costs, and supports infrastructure integrity. The cement mixture we will use is stronger and withstands higher environmental pressure than traditional concrete. It also emits up to 32% less CO2 than traditional cement.
When will the pilot project break ground?
- We anticipate Spring/Summer 2021 depending on the pandemic & its uncertainties. We are in close contact with our local nonprofit partner who is updating us on the environment in Madagascar.
Your name will be featured on a plaque to thank you for your contribution to building the first school!
Just Because I Care
Your donation provides an educational care package that contains notebooks, pencils, hygiene supplies, etc.
Join the Hive, our community of passionate humans who support humanitarian-driven tech!
Rewards
Your name will be featured on a plaque to thank you for your contribution to building the first school!
Just Because I Care
Your donation provides an educational care package that contains notebooks, pencils, hygiene supplies, etc.
Join the Hive, our community of passionate humans who support humanitarian-driven tech!