Science Rules During Coronavirus Pandemic

The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium created and delivered over 1,000 3D-printed face shields to first responders across the Palm Beaches.

Chris Irizarry and Dr. Oneka Marriott. Images courtesy of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

As the saying goes: those who can, 3D print. To help the community amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium put 3D printing to good use and provided more than 1,000 face shields to first responders. The center’s educators delivered the protective equipment to the West Palm Beach Fire and Police Departments, FoundCare, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, and more.

The center’s educators typically spend their days teaching budding scientists to use the 3D printers in the Stiles-Nicholson STEM Education Center on site. Chris Ortiz and Chris Pait worked with volunteers and used a web-based CAD (Computer-Aided Design) program to create the masks.

“We were grateful to use the time we were quarantined to help others in our community,” said Kate Arrizza, President and CEO of the Science Center. “Safety is our top priority, and we were happy to step up to fill this great need.”

Demo Villalobos of the West Palm Beach Fire Department.

The Stiles-Nicholson Foundation was a major funder of the 3D printing project. “The Stiles-Nicholson Foundation enthusiastically supports the Science Center’s mission,” said David Nicholson, a trustee and supporter of the namesake Stiles-Nicholson Foundation. “We owe the improvements in our quality of life to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), and the Science Center is delighted to help our neighbors in this time of need.”

For more information on Science Center programming, call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram @SFScienceCenter.

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