Technology in the labs at NeoCity Academy isn’t being used for students right now, so the school is putting it to the best use possible for the community.

NeoCity Academy, located on the NeoCity campus east of Kissimmee, has put two 3D printers in its  MakerLab to work printing face shield guards for its health care friends at Advent Health.

“Our mission is focused on having an impact in our community,” school officials said on Facebook Friday. “Now, more than ever we are proud to help problem solve and support.”

It’s Afinia H800+ printer, and versatile Prussa i3 MK3 3D printer, have been working as hard as they had during the school year before students were sent home thanks to COVID-19. With the innovative tools sitting on campus not working, are making the plastic pieces that hold the face shields in place to make for PPE equipment health care workers need to treat coronavirus patients without putting themselves at risk for also contracting the disease.

The work at NeoCity, in partner with other producers with 3D printers, makes it possible to build 1,000 shields per week to provide full face shields, where they’re distributed to AdventHealth hospitals across Central Florida. And if more production partners join the efforts, those numbers could go up and help more clinicians win the war against COVID-19.

A big thank you to the folks at NeoCity Academy, led by its Principal Michael Meechin,  for having a positive impact on the community even when its students are not roaming the halls!