Julie Olson

Olson’s innovative teaching idea, “Engineering PPE,” involves designing PPE (personal protective equipment, and giving students the opportunity to learn how to properly handle and test bacterial samples as well as epidemiological principles of disease and transmission. With the new way of life upon the community due to the pandemic, there is a need for remote ways of learning, problem solving, and PPE. In his program, students in Advanced Biology will integrate biological principals about the immune system and Microbiology with engineering to problem solve ways to protect themselves while maintaining safe activity in critical jobs. A key part of the program is to design PPE with respects to fit, ease of use, re-use and ability to sterilize. Students will utilize CAD software to design and manufacture PPE using common methods such as 3D, CNC, and laser cutting from a variety of materials (e.g. ABS, PETG). They will test durability as well as ability to sterilize using microbiological methods. PPE will include, but won’t be limited to face masks, shields, and mask extenders. PPE will be made available to any front-line workers as well as students and their families.