Quest Academy 3D Prints Shields for COVID-19 Healthcare Efforts

Quest Academy teacher, Steve Dembo, often challenges his students to look for real world applications in his STEAM/CSAI classes by engaging skills that use innovation and creative problem solving to accomplish a goal. With the current health crisis impacting our world, he decided to take the opportunity to not only make an impact for those serving on the front lines, but also to set an example for his students.

Transporting equipment from the Quest Academy Innovation Lab to his home studio, Dembo joined the efforts of “3D Printed Face Shields for Swedish”, a movement that started making the rounds on social media platforms with the aim to generate supplies for Swedish Hospital in Chicago, IL. Four 3D printers have been mobilized, including one built by two middle school students at Quest Academy, to produce dozens of shields everyday.

Dembo shares that this opportunity aligns with the ongoing projects in the curriculum. “Our 7th graders are just beginning an in-depth unit on the current state of using prosthetics and robotics to both replace and even augment human physiology. (We had a) lesson on the anatomy of the arm and hand, and we used our virtual reality machines to learn about anatomy and robotic limbs using Augmented Reality.”

Dembo goes on to add: “Due to a shift to distance learning, we are going to continue our emphasis on design and manufacturing, but apply it to current events. They are being tasked with creating practical physical objects that will aid people during the shelter-in-place in the areas of safety, educational, home health and assistance, educational, and amusement.”

To date, Dembo has provided over 100 face shields with another 20 printed masks waiting to be delivered.

The entire Quest Academy community is eager to return to learning together on campus. Until that time comes, we are proud that the excellence already expected by our students during in-person lessons continues in a distance learning format.

If you would like to join the 3D Makers community face shield drive, please visit, their Facebook page. For more information about the Swedish Hospital Relief Fund, please click here To learn more about Swedish Hospital Foundation, please click here, or call 773-293-5121.

Quest Academy is the leading, non-profit private independent school for gifted students in grades Pre-K - 8 located in Palatine, IL outside of Chicago. The mission of Quest Academy is to provide gifted children with a challenging curriculum and a nurturing environment, emphasizing sound character, along with scholarship and creativity in both the academics and the arts. The Quest Academy community values the individuality of each child and encourages each to strive for personal excellence. To learn more about Quest Academy, visit www.questacademy.org or call 847-202-8035.