User:Hgrout/sandbox

== Thinking Huts ==

Overview
Thinking Huts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by Maggie Grout in 2016 designed to support education in areas of the world where resources are few or non-existent. Thinking Huts envisions a world where education is financially and geographically accessible. A core belief is that the Human Mind is the Earth's greatest asset and unfortunately there are areas where this resource goes untapped. By supporting and encouraging education Thinking Huts believes the planet and humanity will benefit greatly. The world needs to embrace education by encouragement, support and cultivation. Nelson Mandela summed it up best with his quote:

“EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.” -Nelson Mandela

Thinking Huts supports education in areas that lack the proper materials and/or adequate infrastructure. There are many projects under the umbrella of 'supporting education', some may be considered small while others are large and complex multi-year efforts. One of the smaller scale projects is the "Think Boxes" project, comprised of supplies in individually prepared boxes. The supplies are items that can be placed directly into a student’s hands to support that students learning experience. One of the larger, more complex projects is the fabrication and deployment of a "Thinking Hut” which is a kit-form self-contained classroom with the purpose of being quickly assembled and used as a temporary structure to facilitate education until the community can provide a more permanent solution. Between these two major projects there will be numerous other projects driven by our network of volunteers, end-users and local needs. An overview of the Thinking Huts aspirational plans is in the Roadmap section. Thinking Huts efforts rely heavily on volunteers and donations from organizations and individuals who value education as one of the highest and noblest achievements on this spinning blue ball we call home.

Objectives
Thinking Huts started as a boot-strapped idea and has developed into a more expansive and intensive effort to address educational needs. In order to do this effectively, Thinking Huts is seeking support in acquiring enough funding to support and build upon the initially visualized projects. The funding should be sufficient to allow the organization to scale with technology, staffing and contacts. Details on the estimates of required Capital are given in the Section titled ‘Financing Required’. The overall goal is to raise funding in the area of $1.7 million by Grants, Contributions and other types of support over the four years from 2018-2022. With this funding Thinking Huts should be able to iterate on the next two versions of the Thinking Huts classroom and place approximately 30 Thinking Huts Classrooms and approximately 800 Think Boxes in areas that have shown need and commitment to the education of the local residents. To better understand how the funding would be used there are detailed sections on two of the initial projects that Thinking Huts has currently in process; the Thinking Huts classroom and the Think Boxes Project. Provided also in this document are Roadmap considerations for related and interconnected projects. After careful vetting some of these projects may be more viable than others or there may be additional ones added into the vetting mix.

Thinking Hut
Thinking Huts The initial Thinking Hut was designed using standard building materials and would be constructed in the traditional manner. This Hut was to be used as a prototype to test for design, portability and cost effectiveness. Initial design calls for solar powered laptop stations, an Internet WIFI, desks, chairs, white-boards, tables and other educational resources. The Hut would have a secure door, two ample sized operating windows, first aid kit, smoke alarm and fire extinguisher. The expected occupancy is 15 students and 1 teacher, but the floor configuration could be modified to suit a different number of students. Additionally, the Hut was designed in a way to allow additional attachable Huts to grow the capacity and meet an immediately desired need.

Thinking Huts newest design (Patent Pending - US 62/659,604 ) is a more customized Hut Design and incorporates the ‘Wiki-House’ design philosophy of structures composed of small components that can be easily handled by one or two adults and pieced together simply. The level of building expertise is minimized as these Huts would be delivered to Sites ready for assembly following a simplified instruction set. (See Appendix A for a more detailed description). The components themselves will be manufactured from recycled or earth friendly materials. We envision incorporating APM manufacturing to build the kits in a cost effective and efficient manner once the cost moves into an effective area for budgetary needs.

Thinking Huts uses commercially available software to design models of each version of a Thinking Hut that conform to the following aspirations:
 * Portability: Huts should be able to be transported efficiently broken down into components.
 * Economic: Materials used in Huts should be at lowest cost available.
 * Modularity: Each Hut should be comprised of components that can be easily handled by two adults for assembly.
 * Environmentally Friendly: Components should be made from recycled materials where possible.
 * Expandability: Huts should be designed to allow additional Huts to attach for greater room.
 * Safety: Huts should be designed to withstand weather conditions and allow easy egress. Each Hut would come with First Aid Kit and Fire Extinguisher.
 * Durability: Huts are not intended for long term use but should be constructed to attain a reasonable life-span of ten years.

The original design utilized existing construction materials and practices. While that was an excellent start for the Hut, it did leave much assembly in the hands of inexperienced personnel. While the Alpha design for a Thinking Hut met most of the aspirational goals, we felt that with greater innovation we could do better. Ideally we wish to get to a point where the Hut components will be constructed using 3-D manufacturing (APM - Atomically Precise Manufacturing) as the cost curve descends to justify the economics. Each design will go through a prototype creation with several review and quality assurance cycles before deployment for use.

Senior staff at Thinking Huts proficient in the design software package will provide initial designs. Volunteer staff with Architectural and Engineering experience will vet the designs and make appropriate modifications to each design as well as be part of the innovation discussions.

The newest Thinking Hut design will be created in custom components from 3-D manufacturing services. The Huts will be constructed in such a way that the components will lock into position by using specially produced braces and supports. This will allow a quicker assembly with less experience required in the volunteers.

The octagon shape of the individual Huts allow them to be aggregated together to provide more classrooms or space as required.

The interior of each Hut can be customized to best accommodate the local teaching methods and needs. We are working with partners to supply some type of Internet connectivity and electrical supply via photovoltaic panels.

===== Think Boxes ===== In areas where there is an immediate need and the funding is not immediately available, Thinking Huts will send Think Boxes to select appropriate destinations based upon Thinking Huts strategic goals and resources. Not only will there be valuable educational materials included but will also include everyday articles that will enrich those students lives. We have successfully deployed a number of these Think Boxes to needy students in the Dominican Republic and look to follow up there and other locations with Think Boxes targeting different ages and/or learning needs.