Elizabethtown College’s Engineering department is doing its part to ensure the Etown community stay safe upon return to campus this fall. Sophomore engineering student, Emily Ward ’23 recently led a team of volunteers in creating personal protect equipment (PPE) including face masks and face shields, which will be given to students to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Ward, who has her own 3D printing equipment and previously spent the summer supplying local medical professionals with face shields, decided to work with faculty and administration to recruit volunteers to help her fellow students. She got in contact with Assistant Professor of Engineering & Physics Jean Batista Abreu to formulate a plan on how they could recruit volunteers and manage the project. Together they established instructions for face mask assembly based on CDC guidelines, made a call for volunteers, and coordinated the delivery of materials to volunteer’s homes for assembly. A total of 24 volunteers including Etown students, faculty, staff, and parents assisted with the project.
“One idea quickly became the collaborative project of many,” said Batista Abreu. “Clearly, our community is eager to help and solve problems. The leadership and spirit of service of our students combined with the strong support of our institution is what makes Etown so unique and special.”
Over the span of a month, 650 cloth masks were created using sewing machines as well as 75 clear face shields using Ward’s 3D printer. The masks and shields will be added to the supply of personal protective equipment the College has already purchased as a part of the new safety guidelines on campus this fall.