Putting Learning into Practice: 3D Printing PPE
After learning during spring break that people were using 3D printers to help remedy shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the region, Dr. Marie Farson, assistant professor of earth science, invited students from earlier classes on 3D printing to join the effort. In all, four former 3D Printing students pitched in. Ian Armesy (C’19) and two current students used printers they had made in class and then purchased, and one student built a second printer at home. Farson shared her design for a hands-free device (for pushing doors open, pressing elevator buttons, etc.), which senior Esteban Rojas Acuna printed. Junior Robbie Robison developed his own design for a hands-free device to push shopping carts and printed it. (The goal for these devices is to calm fears about touching surfaces in public areas.)
Farson and her daughter Hanna (C’21), who had also taken the 3D printing class, kept four Jellybox 3D printers going, churning out face shields, mask-strap adjusters, and hands-free devices. Some shields and mask-strap adjusters went to Cox Cottage (the campus Christian Science nursing center), the Facilities Department, and Peace Haven, a St. Louis-area Christian Science nursing facility. Printed, sterilized face shields were taken to Alton Memorial Hospital and OSF St. Anthony’s Hospital, at the request of the Illinois PPE Network, which coordinates the manufacture of PPE by organizations and individuals and distributes them to healthcare facilities facing shortages.
In addition, hands-free devices were delivered to local senior living facilities, including Asbury Village in Godfrey, Illinois. The executive director there wrote to Farson, “Your generosity is greatly appreciated . . . How wonderful that your contribution will allow our staff and residents to enjoy life beyond our Asbury Village campus and be safe . . .”
Farson shared her gratitude, too: “It is heartwarming to see the students use the skills they obtained at Principia to help their community, taking the time to do so even with finals coming up!”