Press Releases
City of New Westminster’s Learning Lab redeploys to produce equipment for health workers during COVID-19
Posted On:
May 11, 2020

New Westminster – Thanks to a generous donation by clean tech investor, philanthropist, and local resident Jennifer Thompson, the Learning Lab now has the opportunity to join with Delta-based company Tinkerine to produce face shields for health workers. The donation will add five new 3D printers to the Learning Lab, an Arts + Tech programming space run by the city and known for its unique community and school programming.

A sincere thank you to Jennifer Thompson for supporting this initiative,” said Mayor Jonathan Coté. “This donation and the partnership with Tinkerine, is an example of everyone coming together to help during COVID-19.”

Delta-based Tinkerine, which designs and manufactures 3D printers, repurposed its manufacturing in the third week of March to produce badly needed face shields for health workers across the country. Tinkerine has coordinated production of face shields to include 3D printers that would otherwise remain idle during the pandemic. Universities, private institutions, and K-9 schools are working together to produce 20,000 face shields a week. With this donation the Learning Lab will be able to produce components for 1440 face shields per week.  After the parts are printed at the Learning Lab they are sent to Tinkerine for sterilization and final assembly.

“This is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only will these printers immediately assist our healthcare workers, but they will continue to support educational programming for years to come.” said Gordon Duggan, Director New Media Gallery + Learning Lab.

The new 3D printers will become a valuable part of the Learning Lab when public programs resume. The City of New Westminster would also like to thank valued donors who have invested in STEAM + Learning Lab programming in the past year including Amazon, Piva, El Santo, and Best Buy.

You can find updates on the Learning Lab at newmediagallery.ca and project updates on Facebook @NWnmg.

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Media Contact:

Gordon Duggan
Executive Director, New Media Gallery/ Learning Lab

778.833.1864