A school robotics team is helping front-line workers battle the pandemic.
Patrick Logan is an engineer who mentors kids with the South Eugene Robotics Team (SERT). He says while the school year’s activities have been disrupted by COVID-19 protocols, SERT members are spending time at home by making face shields with the University of Oregon’s assistance.
“We work with the machine shop and the department of biology in producing these face shields that involve 3-D printing and laser cut screens," explains Logan.
"And then we are cooperating with other robotics teams to be providing PPE across the state. Which y’know, makes us feel good.”
Logan says the students print their own components out individually, and then alert him and other SERT mentors when a batch is finished. They then come by and pick up the components from the porch (observing social distancing) and assemble the face shields at a separate facility.
SERT has already made 38 face shields for veterinarians and grocery workers. And Logan says they’ve also received 50 from a robotics team in Corvallis.
All the face shields are free, and many are for health care workers dealing with the coronavirus. 200 are slated for Oregon Medical Group.
Anyone who'd like to support SERT in its efforts to create more face shields can inquire at its website.
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