If a health care worker puts on a face shield inscribed with the words “Heroes wear scrubs, not capes,” it might have been designed by a Byron-Bergen fifth- or sixth-grade student. STEAM Lab Teacher Craig Schroth recently dropped off 100 face shields designed and donated by students to Face Shields ROC, an organization collecting face shields to distribute to medical facilities and first responders in the Rochester area.
Before Byron-Bergen Elementary School closed its doors in March, Schroth was granted permission to move the district’s three 3-D printers to his home with the idea of avoiding a backlog of printing student work when school recommenced. Three weeks later, he proposed a new project to his students.
“Many health care workers are short on personal protective equipment at hospitals and health care facilities,” said Schroth. “One thing that people are doing to help is using 3-D printers to print face shields. I wanted to give our students an opportunity to get involved with this project.”
Schroth invited students to add a positive message to the basic face shield design. Using the skills they gained while designing keychains and jack-o-lanterns in class, and guidance from Schroth via email, students worked on their designs from their homes. They submitted their finished files electronically, and Schroth printed them on the 3-D printers now in his basement.
Fifth-grade student Rena Wilson has submitted 55 designs with a goal of designing 100. “I was glad to have the chance to thank these health workers by giving them a nice message that would brighten their day.”
“I’m very proud of our students for their enthusiasm in this project,” said Byron-Bergen Elementary Principal Brian Meister. “Mr. Schroth has shown amazing initiative in not only stepping up to produce needed resources for the medical community but creating a meaningful experience for his students. They will not forget this. Neither will the recipients of these unique face shields.”
As more designs are submitted, Schroth will continue to print and deliver the face shields on behalf of his students.
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Photos by Craig Schroth
