Andrew Knapik, STEM teacher at Renton Junior High in New Boston, is using equipment from the school’s lab to print head pieces that will be used to make full face shields. The completed shields will then be distributed to healthcare workers in Monroe County. (Photos courtesy of Andrew Knapik)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Published March 30, 2020

Across the country, communities are pulling together to supply healthcare workers with the essential items they need to treat patients with COVID-19.

Andrew Knapik, STEM teacher at Renton Junior High School in New Boston, said it was a text message from a colleague that was the catalyst for using equipment from the school’s lab to make head pieces for face shields that, in turn, will be distributed to healthcare workers.

“A text from Renton Junior High bands teacher Brenda Bressler put this into motion. Bressler shared a Facebook post of Monroe High School teacher Kyle Reed helping to organize those in the area with 3D printers to help print materials needed to make PPE face shields for local healthcare professionals,” Knapik said.

Renton Junior High’s STEM lab has three 3D printers, Knapik said, and both he and Bressler knew they could be used to help out.

After getting permission from Donovan Rowe, superintendent of Huron Schools, Knapik said a quick effort was made to open the school and get the printers and other supplies needed so he could begin work at home.

Knapik then setup a work station right in his dining room, and after getting some tech support from the maker of the printer, he was ready to go.

“Each headpiece takes between four and five hours to print,” Knapik said. “The head pieces will then be delivered to Monroe High School, where other volunteers will work to mount shields to the head piece.”

Once the face shields are complete, they will be distributed to healthcare workers in Monroe County.

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For current and up-to-date information regarding the coronavirus, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.