BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The director of grants and outreach for the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering at CSU Bakersfield turned to social media to see what could be done regarding the lack of face masks for first responders, and discovered labs, businesses and individuals were working to make personal protective equipment for front-line healthcare workers.

Bobby Hartsock, a CSUB alumnus, works at the Fab Lab, the center of ingenuity and innovation at the university, where students and the public can get help from CSUB staff and use the lab's equipment, including 3D printers and lasers.

The Fab Lab was asked to help with the effort of making PPE for front-line healthcare workers.

Since being asked, Hartsock has produced the first of what he hopes will be thousands of face shields.

“This, honestly, could very well be life and death for those who will be using these supplies,” Hartsock said. “To me, this shows how much CSUB cares for our community, by providing the supplies, personnel and funds to work on this project. I’m so proud of what we’re doing.”

On Monday, the Kern County Public Health Services Department received 250 face shields outside the University Police Department, the first agency to be issued the personal protective equipment manufactured in the Fab Lab.

The Fab Lab can produce 16 face shields a day, but with community support they can make 100.

The Fab Lab runs its 3D printers 24/7 for the face shield project.