Cork students doing Ireland proud as they roll out PPE production in KCS

Cork students doing Ireland proud as they roll out PPE production in Kinsale Community School

Report by Gavin O’Callaghan [Source: Cork Beo] Date: 1 April 2020

Two Cork youngsters are doing Ireland extremely proud as they've led the charge producing much-needed PPE equipment for those helping to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Full-scale production is underway in Kinsale Community School after the brilliant Oisin Coyle and Shane Collins did some research and started making up protective face-shields using their 3D printers.

The lads, who are in fifth and transition year, have teamed up with teachers Maria Brosnan, Thomas Clancy, and Aaron Bowen and expect to have 100 pieces available by Thursday evening.

The phenomenal work has been going on in the school's Microsoft Digital Hub and this morning a GP looked at the gear and agreed they were perfect for use in a medical setting.

Proud principal Fergal McCarthy told CorkBeo they'll be made available "wherever the need arises".

He said: "Fifth year student Oisin Coyle came up with the profile from research in respect of what was necessary for medical practitioners and those on the frontline of healthcare.

"A colleague of his Shane Collins in Transition Year collaborated along with teachers in the school.

"We set up an assembly line in our Microsoft Digital Hub and we've gone into full scale production of them.

"A local GP this morning looked at them and feels they're perfect to be used in a medical setting.

Principal McCarthy went on to say that they're making about seven units every two hours, and of course they're all observing social distance while working away in the lab.

He said: "We will be making them available wherever the need arises. So nursing home settings, medical practitioners, the HSE are welcome to them, hospitals, pharmacists. We hope to get them to anyone that needs them.

"Obviously our supply chain will be slow, we have five 3D printers in operation so we're working steadily.

"We're hoping about 100 will be available by Thursday evening. We produce seven every two hours.

"Them and three teachers have been in the lab, observing the social distance for it too of course."

The school's Twitter account uploaded images of the teams' work and received a great reaction from impressed users.

Microsoft Specialist Niamh Ni Mhaille congratulated them all saying it's "incredible what we can achieve when we all pull together."

UCC Lecturer Helen Hynes was also impressed while teacher Aaron Bowen, who is part of the project, said he's "so proud" of what they're achieving.