Katie Kelley is fundraising
Texas Robotics Teams For PPE (Face Shields)
Texas Robotics teams unite to raise funds to make PPE face shields for nurses and doctors who are treating patients who may have Covid-19.
$10 goes towards the production of 2 face shields that are reusable and can protect 2 frontline workers throughout the crisis. All shields are made and then donated to local hospitals, first responders, etc.
There is a nationwide shortage of medical protective gear and so we are doing our part to help protect the health and safety of our community by using the skills we learned through FIRST & VEX Robotics programs.
The face shield design has a clear plastic shield that extends an inch or two in front of someone’s nose, leaving the user enough room to wear a surgical mask or N95 mask underneath thus protecting the integrity of those masks and giving an extra shield against contamination.
Face shields provide increased protection for staff forced to re-use masks or use home-made masks or bandanas. And since face shields are plastic and can be sanitized, they offer reusable protection for weeks, instead of hours.
NOTE: The design follows the standards outlined in the CDC "Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Face Masks."
OUR STORY
We are a group of FIRST and VEX Robotics teams in Texas that have come together to support our community in response to the outbreak of Covid-19. The group consist of FRC team 118 Robonauts, 1477 Texas Torque, 148 Robowranglers, FTC 12857 Phantom, and FLL 2391 Knights of the LEGO Table, several VEX teams, VEX Robotics HQ and more.
On March 20th, a pediatrician located in Conroe, Texas (also a FLL coach) came to us asking for help because she was concerned about the lack of access to PPE for herself, staff and colleagues.
We started with a 3D printed design similar to the Prusa version as well one that can be stamped or die cut for rapid manufacturing. After a few days of minor modifications, we were able to prototype the first few dozen and get them in the hands of local doctors. After several rounds of prototyping and testing with medical professionals, we have come up with two successful designs that minimize time and materials.
IMPORTANT: Both designs are plastic and can be sanitized, they offer reusable protection for weeks, instead of hours.
OUR GOAL
In support of the #MillionMaskChallenge, our group intends to produce face shields that will be provided to local hospitals in Montgomery County, NASA area, Dallas and other surrounding areas. As we gain more support, we can reach more communities.
We would like to manufacture 10,000 face shields.
FAQ
How will the funds be used?
100% of the funds will go directly towards the manufacture of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We will start by producing face shields using waterjet manufacturing and 3D printers. VEX Robotics in Richardson, TX as well as FRC 118, FRC 1477, FRC 148, FTC 12857 and VEX teams have generously offered use of their machinery and skills, enabling the bulk of funds to go towards the purchase of PLA and PTEG filaments, elastic, and sanitizing supplies. We may produce other forms of PPE.
How are you manufacturing the face shields?
We are fortunate to have access to the 3D printers and manufacturing equipment through our VEX Robotics in Richardson, FIRST & VEX teams, and local businesses. They are working around the clock to print the components for face shields. Once the components have been printed and checked for quality control, our team of volunteers will assemble the face shields by hand, sanitize the finished product, and prep them for delivery.
How are you distributing the face shields?
In partnership with local hospitals, we will personally hand-deliver the face shields to frontline healthcare workers. We will ensure that they are used as protective gear in a medical setting.
Starting on Sunday, April 5, we will be delivering face shields to hospitals in Montgomery County, NASA/Clear Lake and Dallas area hospitals and first responders.
**As of March 31, we have delivered 100 face shields to healthcare workers locally including Conroe Hospital, Neighborhood Pediatrics and St. Lukes Hospital.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes- "Texas Torque 4H Robotics" is a non-profit organization.
Aside from donations, how can we help?
If you want to volunteer to help with assembly or distribution, you can e-mail us with a subject headline “PPE Distribution Help”. Please also include in your email your contact information: cell phone, address (we are organizing by zip code). number of people that can assemble and whether or not you can help distribute and pick up. We also need to know what size car you have.
If you are have a direct relationship with suppliers of PPE materials that can provide materials at market costs, you can e-mail us with a subject headline “PPE Materials."
If you are a member of the press, you can e-mail us with a subject headline “Media Request." NOTE: Right now, we're focused on making and providing 10K face shields but we may consider press opportunities in the future.
Thank you for helping to protect America's healthcare workers!
NOTE:
More information about Texas 4-H (Texas Torque 4H Robotics): Texas Torque's mission is to foster the critical thinking, problem solving, and constructive collaboration of tomorrow's workforce by overcoming obstacles that will be encountered in the real world.
$10 goes towards the production of 2 face shields that are reusable and can protect 2 frontline workers throughout the crisis. All shields are made and then donated to local hospitals, first responders, etc.
There is a nationwide shortage of medical protective gear and so we are doing our part to help protect the health and safety of our community by using the skills we learned through FIRST & VEX Robotics programs.
The face shield design has a clear plastic shield that extends an inch or two in front of someone’s nose, leaving the user enough room to wear a surgical mask or N95 mask underneath thus protecting the integrity of those masks and giving an extra shield against contamination.
Face shields provide increased protection for staff forced to re-use masks or use home-made masks or bandanas. And since face shields are plastic and can be sanitized, they offer reusable protection for weeks, instead of hours.
NOTE: The design follows the standards outlined in the CDC "Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Face Masks."
OUR STORY
We are a group of FIRST and VEX Robotics teams in Texas that have come together to support our community in response to the outbreak of Covid-19. The group consist of FRC team 118 Robonauts, 1477 Texas Torque, 148 Robowranglers, FTC 12857 Phantom, and FLL 2391 Knights of the LEGO Table, several VEX teams, VEX Robotics HQ and more.
On March 20th, a pediatrician located in Conroe, Texas (also a FLL coach) came to us asking for help because she was concerned about the lack of access to PPE for herself, staff and colleagues.
We started with a 3D printed design similar to the Prusa version as well one that can be stamped or die cut for rapid manufacturing. After a few days of minor modifications, we were able to prototype the first few dozen and get them in the hands of local doctors. After several rounds of prototyping and testing with medical professionals, we have come up with two successful designs that minimize time and materials.
IMPORTANT: Both designs are plastic and can be sanitized, they offer reusable protection for weeks, instead of hours.
OUR GOAL
In support of the #MillionMaskChallenge, our group intends to produce face shields that will be provided to local hospitals in Montgomery County, NASA area, Dallas and other surrounding areas. As we gain more support, we can reach more communities.
We would like to manufacture 10,000 face shields.
FAQ
How will the funds be used?
100% of the funds will go directly towards the manufacture of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We will start by producing face shields using waterjet manufacturing and 3D printers. VEX Robotics in Richardson, TX as well as FRC 118, FRC 1477, FRC 148, FTC 12857 and VEX teams have generously offered use of their machinery and skills, enabling the bulk of funds to go towards the purchase of PLA and PTEG filaments, elastic, and sanitizing supplies. We may produce other forms of PPE.
How are you manufacturing the face shields?
We are fortunate to have access to the 3D printers and manufacturing equipment through our VEX Robotics in Richardson, FIRST & VEX teams, and local businesses. They are working around the clock to print the components for face shields. Once the components have been printed and checked for quality control, our team of volunteers will assemble the face shields by hand, sanitize the finished product, and prep them for delivery.
How are you distributing the face shields?
In partnership with local hospitals, we will personally hand-deliver the face shields to frontline healthcare workers. We will ensure that they are used as protective gear in a medical setting.
Starting on Sunday, April 5, we will be delivering face shields to hospitals in Montgomery County, NASA/Clear Lake and Dallas area hospitals and first responders.
**As of March 31, we have delivered 100 face shields to healthcare workers locally including Conroe Hospital, Neighborhood Pediatrics and St. Lukes Hospital.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes- "Texas Torque 4H Robotics" is a non-profit organization.
Aside from donations, how can we help?
If you want to volunteer to help with assembly or distribution, you can e-mail us with a subject headline “PPE Distribution Help”. Please also include in your email your contact information: cell phone, address (we are organizing by zip code). number of people that can assemble and whether or not you can help distribute and pick up. We also need to know what size car you have.
If you are have a direct relationship with suppliers of PPE materials that can provide materials at market costs, you can e-mail us with a subject headline “PPE Materials."
If you are a member of the press, you can e-mail us with a subject headline “Media Request." NOTE: Right now, we're focused on making and providing 10K face shields but we may consider press opportunities in the future.
Thank you for helping to protect America's healthcare workers!
NOTE:
More information about Texas 4-H (Texas Torque 4H Robotics): Texas Torque's mission is to foster the critical thinking, problem solving, and constructive collaboration of tomorrow's workforce by overcoming obstacles that will be encountered in the real world.
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