Worthing school uses DT skills to make vital equipment for hospital staff

The design and technology department at Davison High School for Girls in Worthing has been making a range of equipment using supplies in stock, but is now desperately seeking more transparent acetate and polycarbonate plastic so the team can continue its efforts.

Carl Boswell, subject leader, said: “With the desperate need for personal protective equipment in the NHS, this is a ‘call to arms’ for all schools and local business to support our doctors and nurses.

“Face shields and protective safety glasses can protect them, so they can protect us.

“All schools and some businesses have these items in stock and can donate to local hospitals. Schools particularly may be in the position to make face shields that provide a higher levels of protection.

“There are a few CAD designs available being passed around, from laser cut face shields to 3D printed head mounts. If one face shield can save one NHS worker from infection, this then progresses into the lives they can save.

“In one comment from an NHS worker, they would ‘wear anything, even normal glasses provide protection’.”

Carl has been busy working with Louise Poland and Jane Green at Davison High School on making equipment like laser cut face shields and surgical scrubs.

The school’s science department has also provided a large number of safety glasses.

Carl said: “Other schools are also doing this but many more don’t realise the resources they have in stock, and skills teachers have literally is the ‘golden goose’ that needs to be exploited in our nation’s time of need.

“So the call to arms is get making if you can and within the lockdown restrictions we have at the moment. The STEM subjects in schools can offer a lot in this time of need, specifically design and technology, as it’s a place where students learn to engineer and make with modern technologies.

“For me It’s a fair trade of resources and time. If one doctor or nurse is protected from COVID-19 because of what we supply, it means they themselves are not in danger and they can go on to save lives.

“We made what we could with the resources we had. We have now run out of transparent plastic and elastic. Other schools may have better resources and can carry on the fight.”

Louise put out an appeal on Facebook after Worthing Hospital asked the Davison team to make some more. She requested 1mm transparent acetate and HIPs or Polycarbonate plastic 30mm x 300mm minimum.

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