South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Science Center donates over 1,000 3D printed face shields
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has donated over 1,000 3D printed face shields to first responders and others in need of personal protective equipment.
Face shields were delivered to first responders, frontline workers and other non-profit organizations from Palm Beach County to Orlando. The West Palm Beach Fire and Police Departments, FoundCare, Boca Regional and the Palm Beach Zoo were included in the distribution.
“We were grateful to use the time we were quarantined to help others in our community,” Science Center president and CEO Kate Arrizza said in a statement. “Safety is our top priority, and we were happy to step up to fill this great need.”
Using the 3D printers in the Stiles-Nicholson STEM Education Center, Chris Ortiz and Chris Pait worked with volunteers to produce the 3D printed face shields. The Stiles-Nicholson Foundation was a significant funder of the 3D printing initiative.
Typically, Science Center educators would teach students the skills necessary to manipulate 3-dimensional objects in a 2-dimensional workspace.
“The Stiles-Nicholson Foundation enthusiastically supports the Science Center’s mission,” said David Nicholson, a trustee and supporter of the namesake StilesNicholson Foundation. “We owe the improvements in our quality of life to STEM, and the Science Center is delighted to help our neighbors in this time of need.
“The 3-D printing of face shields is just a small example of coupling modern technology with creativity to create solutions for today’s challenges,” Nicholson continued. “The greater the number of students who choose STEM as a career, the faster progress will be made to resolve these medical and other challenges.”
Since 1961, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has been a staple of the Palm Beach County community, serving more than 300,000 students, teachers and visitors annually.
Visit, sfsciencecenter.org.