Dripping Springs students engineer face shields

Classes are not meeting in school buildings, but the Engineering students at Dripping Springs High School are now putting their knowledge to good use.

The pandemic has changed a lot in our lives, no argument there. But technology can offer new solutions to problems that have never been encountered before. Take for example the lack of protective equipment.

Engineering students decided they wanted to help.

“This is remote learning and doing things remotely,” CTE and Robotics Instructor Jad Jadeja said. “The students wanted to do something good and provide front-line workers (something) that will really help them.”

Putting the skills they have learned to good use, they realized 3D printers could provide protection for those helping on the front lines. The acrylic shields are cut out and have provided some relief for those that wear them, for an extra layer of protection over facemasks.

“The shields are ear-savers, the 3D printed shields have elastic put around them and are not around the ears for 12 hours (like face masks)… the kids are into it, and this is the real world. How you react, what you can do with helping the frontline in the community with their needs is what it is all about,” Jadeja said.

The 3D printers, the school’s and a few of the student’s, started to crank out the protective shields and then provided them to the responders. Twenty-five were provided to the North Hays County Fire Department and then others.

“Twenty-four were provided to Seton Hospital, Premiere Physicians (in Dripping), one nursing home on Slaughter (Lane), a nursing home in North Austin, some in Wimberley… approximately 180 were made in ten days,” Jadeja said and more are coming. He continued.

“Other student are making cold calls to physicians and dentists locally, trying to find those who need them.”

More responder requests have been received via Facebook and other social media.

“People send emails and provide us the information on what they need.”

If you are on the front lines and could use their help, email can be received by contacting the school at [email protected]