LEAP Academy Fabrication Lab Develops Face Shields During Pandemic
April 20, 2020
Respirators are in short supply along with medical personnel, hospital space and personal safety equipment required to treat patients. Not only that, we have seen how the most vulnerable members of our community do not have the necessary resources to protect themselves while treating their family members. Considering these needs, the LEAP Fabrication Laboratory Community has the responsibility to respond to this global crisis by connecting its members’ skills, to ease the pressure on the supply chain and government.
The project proposed in this application responds also to the critical need for engaging minority students in experiences that prepare, motivate and expose a myriad of STEM based experiential opportunities. National Science Foundation (NSF) research’s has consistently showed that women, African-Americans and Hispanics have been underrepresented in STEM education (NSF 13-304 and NSF 10-31). Support environments and early exposure seems to contribute positively to the engagement and retention of minority students in this fields.
To respond to such needs, we propose to fabricate Face Shields, using our LEAP Fabrication Laboratory capabilities. Face shields can substantially reduce the short-term exposure of healthcare workers to large infectious aerosol particles from coughing patients. When worn in conjunction with a face mask it can protect the respiratory track for workers caring for patients with respiratory infections such as the one generated by the coronavirus. The CDC has realized that the country doesn’t have the necessary PPE to protect health care provides, we believe we can make a difference on this area.
The Leap Fabrication Laboratory can easily provide a low-cost product to our local health workers and local families. The face shield can be fabricated at a cost less than $1.24 just considering materials. This product can be given, free of charge, to LEAP families and to local health care workers. We are planning to work with selected high school students to help the Fab Lab Team, from the student’s house, to assemble face masks, work to understand the product, and to contact local hospitals so we can deliver the face shields.
We are going to fabricate and donate over 1000 face shields. We have donated 100 face shields to Cooper Hospital and 50 face shields to LEAP’s Health Clinic. Dr. Rivera commented on how she liked the design better than the one she has been purchasing for the clinic!
Our students are on the road to becoming Global Citizens. They will not let anything stand in front of their dreams. Stay safe!