Innovation Hub Initiatives Update
The Innovation Hub at Northwood School has shifted as the crisis in New York has abated. During the crisis phase, the Innovation Hub and the NY3D Printing Network ramped up face shield production to cover the shortfall with needed PPE. Now with all orders filled, the Hub continues to produce 3D print face shield visors in order to create a stockpile should a second peak/second wave hit local and regional hospitals. The goal is to make and store 1,000 visors for future distribution. One area that continues to struggle with PPE accessibility is dentists. The supply chain continues to struggle to meet the demand in the United States and the world. The Innovation Hub has also transitioned its primary COVID-19 operations towards the distribution of face masks. The Hub is headquarters for The Mask Hub’s effort to distribute 100,000 triple-ply, cloth, waterproof masks throughout the North Country. The Hub is working with ROOST to provide 5,000 face masks to Tri-Lakes businesses and residents, and Essex County Emergency Services to provide 10,000 masks to residents within the county. The Hub is also working with students from Northwood, Watertown, and Beekmantown Central School to distribute masks to needed organizations. Northwood students are looking to provide masks to food banks and shelters as well as sending 1,000 masks to Snyder Hockey in Philadelphia. The non-profit works with intercity kids and supports them with food, academic support, and athletic outlets. In Beekmantown, the students are working to provide masks to veterans as well as to raise money, through the distribution of masks, for the local honor flight that sends veterans to Washington D.C. Currently, the Watertown students are still in the development stage as they are working to ascertain the need for masks and how they can use them to support local charities. The Mask Hub is also working with Northwood School to help distribute 100,000 masks to other schools and colleges so that they can provide face masks to faculty and students. Northwood delivered 11,000 masks to the University of Vermont, is working with North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, and two other elementary schools, in Rochester, and New York City to provide masks to their constituents. Northwood has also provided masks to the faculty of Beekmantown Central School and has been contacted by BOCES in Plattsburgh.
For more information and find out how you can help the Innovation Hub continue to support these projects, visit www.supportnorthwood.org.