Virtual Community Service

St. Mary’s Elementary School Ramps Up Production of Masks with 3D Printer

To support essential workers and medical professionals on the frontline of this pandemic, Saint Mary's Elementary School took quick action and jumped in feet first to address one of the shortfalls discovered early on in this health crisis.

As news unfolded in March of a critical shortage of N95 masks, Mrs. Michelle Tripi, who serves as the Technology Integration Specialist at the school, presented an idea to Principal Sarah Griffin to implement the use of their 3D printer to create a safe alternative for those working with COVID-19 patients.

Mrs. Tripi located a prototype on social media created by a college professor and his students in New Jersey, who had successfully launched a similar campaign. She reached out for permission to use their design, and the project was born. Mrs. Griffin called upon the St. Mary's families to help obtain materials such as gauze and elastic. She also enlisted help to assemble the masks by hand once production was well underway. The printer could produce 6-8 pieces in 24 hours, so Mrs. Tripi made it her goal to keep production moving in her home around the clock and set alarms to replace filament as needed overnight!

Mrs. Griffin was ecstatic at the response she received by the school community, and to date, 124 units were completed and donated. "This effort was a unique opportunity for St. Mary's Elementary School to help support and protect essential workers," said Principal Griffin.

Recipients of the masks included members of the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management Team and Nassau County Department of Health (via the Nassau County Police Department), Harbor House Assisted Living Facility staff, and Brandywine Nursing Home staff where an alumni of St. Mary's High School currently works as a healthcare professional.