EVSC educators use 3D printers to produce face shields to help fight COVID-19
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — As resources for the fight against COVID-19 have dwindled in communities across the country, several Evansville organizations have taken matters into their own hands.
Using 3D printers, a group of teachers and staff have worked over the past few weeks to create protective face shields for local workers and community organizations.
While Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. schools were on spring break, Michael Stauth, a student data analyst for the district, sat down and began making shields to place over fabric masks.
After producing the protective gear on his own, Stauth reached out to organizations in Indianapolis and at Indiana University Bloomington to help with his initiative. Eventually, leaders from the EVSC Foundation and Ivy Tech Community College came on board to collaborate.
"We're kind of all in this together," Stauth said. "If we can help out other people, they can help us out, too."
Stauth, also a retired US Air Force flight nurse, said the cause is focused on helping police officers, city bus drivers, cafeteria workers and other public workers in need of protection.
Since the start of the initiative, Stauth has made over 300 face shields, with the EVSC Foundation producing over 1,000. Though they aren't medically approved as PPE (personal protective equipment), he said, they prevent masks from soiling over time and provide a sense of assurance.
"People are still a little bit scared," he said. "There's no guarantee these face shields stop the virus by any means, but just having that barrier between that person and another person is reassuring."
Along with helping make and distribute protective gear to community members and organizations, the EVSC Foundation agreed to reimburse Stauth for printing costs and match up to $2,000 in donations.
Harrison High School Media Specialist Gayle Kiesel joined Stauth’s cause to connect him and others with the materials needed for the production of the face shields. Her efforts helped reduce the costs to produce the masks.
"I think we're very successful in trying to get what little inventory we have out to the people who need it," Kiesel said. "And we're bringing more people on board who want to help."
Currently, Kiesel is asking supporters to donate to the EVSC Foundation to assist the effort. To donate or learn about volunteer opportunities, visit the EVSC Foundation website at https://evscfoundation.org/