Wayland High School students from the school’s FIRST Robotics Team #6090 are using their talents and 3D printers to make parts for personal protective equipment used by health care professionals and essential workers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Team members heard about East Kentwood’s robotic team “Red Storm” making plastic parts for face shields and ear guards in their Red Storm Cares project and wanted to help.

The Wayland High School team is using four 3D printers and making parts in the homes of mentors and team members. They have produced 80 face shields and 110 ear guards and continue to make more each week.  The parts are donated to local health care workers that include Cherry Health, Rite Aid Pharmacy, CareLinc Medical Equipment and Supply, and Pilgrim Manor Senior Living.

“We wanted to use our students’ knowledge and skills to help out during this crisis,” said mentor Dave Merice. “We had heard of others making parts for PPEs using 3D printers and jumped at the opportunity to give back.”

Team #6090 members who are volunteering are Alex Killips, freshman; Ian Russell, senior; Jordan Fitzgerald, senior, and mentors Rod Killips and Dave Merice.

More information on the Red Storm Cares project can be found at:

https://www.redstormcares.com/

COVER PHOTO: Rod and Alex Killips and machine.