(BEDFORD) – A few months ago, the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County received grants from the Regional Opportunities Initiative and the NBA All-Star 2021 Legacy Project to produce a state-of-the-art makerspace for the youth of Lawrence County.
This space will be used to introduce students to the skills associated with after school programming project-based learning activities. The vision for this program is to help students prepare for possible careers in advanced manufacturing, defense, and life sciences.
The Launching Center will also help develop a pipeline to the NLCS Career Center. The Lawrence County Launching Center is being constructed in the Teen Center’s west gym.
This space is currently being renovated to house new technology, equipment, and materials needed to create a platform for innovation and invention.
“When the shelter in place order was set, we felt the need to do more for our kids and our community. We contacted our design partners for the Launching Center, 1st Maker Space, and decided to start utilizing some of the technology and equipment that will be in the Center,” said Frank Decker, Chief Professional Officer Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County. “This temporary set-up will make PPE, Personal Protective Equipment, with the new 3D printers and Laser Cutters we have received. To maximize our community effort and resources we have partnered with Phil Richason and Brad Gilbert at the North Lawrence Career Center. This collaborative effort has enabled us to share files and prototypes. Now that the 3D printers and Laser Cutters are set up, together we can produce visor headbands with attached face shields. Our first goal is to produce 200 protective face shields, 50 per week, over the next four weeks, to support our local frontline heroes at NO COST to them!”
The Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County and the North Lawrence Career Center will work with Mary Kinser, Public Health Nurse at the Lawrence County Health Department, for distribution of the face shields.
If you have a need please contact Mary Kinser at 812-275-3234 Ext. 2616.
“We all want to help others in this time of need, collaboration is one of the most efficient ways we can help one another, and the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County is excited to see what else we can do together with our community partners to help build a healthier and safer Lawrence County,” Decker added.
