The Innovation Hub at Northwood School opened in late February 2020 and classes in robotics, engineering, and entrepreneurship quickly filled the three-story space with teenagers eager to spend time at the new facility. But less than one month later, the threat of COVID-19 sent all students home and classes were moved online, leaving our new downtown space quiet again — but not for long.
As fears of the virus and a lack of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers began to swell, new uses for 3D printers began to circulate on social media — masks, face shields, and even life-saving ventilators. Associate Head of School Tom Broderick, the lead on the project at the Hub teamed with Northern NY 3D Printing and quickly jumped into action, making face shields with other local educators and volunteers using the Hub's supply of 3D printers and materials.
To date, the Innovation Hub at Northwood School has helped to supply 100's of re-usable face shields to the Adirondack Medical Center, first responders, and additional healthcare facilities in the Tri-Lakes region and beyond. We have received over 2,000 requests as the crisis deepens and we continue to work on filling those requests.
Many have asked how they can help. If you would like to help us continue to play a role in our community by using innovation and technology to help in real and immediate ways, join us in supporting the operation of the Innovation Hub at Northwood School. Your gift will help fund meaningful projects like this one, and others that positively impact Northwood School, Lake Placid, and the greater Adirondack community.
Northwood Fund for Innovation Hub Community Support
The Hub and Initiative in the News