UCPS CTE provides 1,000+ 3D-printed protective gear and fabric face masks to Atrium Health Union
On April 24, UCPS delivered more than 1,000 3D-printed protective gear items to Atrium Health Union. UCPS Career Readiness teachers spent the past two weeks making the items, which included 3D-printed headbands for face masks and shields, 3D-printed ear guards and fabric face masks.
In an effort to support local healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, Union County Public Schools (UCPS) delivered more than 1,000 prote
ctive gear items to Atrium Health Union on April 24. Items donated included 3D-printed headbands for face masks and shields, 3D-printed ear guards and fabric face masks.
UCPS Career Readiness [CTE] teachers — from Porter Ridge, Sun Valley, Piedmont and Parkwood middle schools as well as Cuthbertson, Forest Hills, Marvin Ridge, Weddington, Sun Valley, Monroe and Parkwood high schools – spent the past two weeks making the 3D-printed items and face masks. Several of the items also included small nods of encouragement to brighten the health professionals’ day, including decorative hearts and bright colors and designs.
The equipment used to create the protective gear are typically used by students enrolled in Career Readiness drafting and apparel courses. However, in light of the current school closure, UCPS received approval from state officials to temporarily use the equipment to assist healthcare professionals in the coming weeks.
With doctors, nurses and surgeons wearing protective face masks for hours at a time each day, the 3D-printed ear guards will provide much-needed relief that prevents face masks from painfully rubbing on their ears all day. 3D-printed headbands are equally as important, as they attach to face shields that provide an additional layer of protection between healthcare workers and patients.
All cloth masks, ear guards and headbands produced by UCPS were donated directly to Atrium Health facilities in Union County.
Click here to view more photos of teachers creating the protective gear and donating it to Atrium Health Union.
(Written by UCPS Communications Department – Posted on UCPS Website https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=11&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=50296&PageID=1 on 4/24/20)