Innovation Lab grand opening aboard Camp Foster

Photo By Sgt. Jessica Collins | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan— Visitors use a 3-D pen March 27 during the grand opening of the Innovation Lab at the Camp Foster Library, Okinawa, Japan. The Innovation Lab features two Oculus Rifts, 3-D printers and an interactive robot. It’s open to everyone and meant for all skill levels. There will be programs available next month to teach people how to use the devices. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins)  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.27.2017

Story by Cpl. Jessica Collins 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

The Camp Foster library officially opened their Innovation Lab March 27 to children and adults alike.
“The goal of the Innovation Lab is to get everyone into the next big thing,” said Devin Farmer, the supervisory librarian at the Camp Foster Library. “We’re trying to give everyone access to the latest and greatest technology like 3-D printing, modeling and virtual reality.”
The Innovation Lab features two Oculus Rifts, a few HoloLenses and an interactive robot.
“We have touch controllers with the Oculus Rift,” said Farmer. “We can use them to basically sculpt in thin air. We don’t even need to have the materials. We can virtually sculpt something and take it over to our 3-D printers and print it.”
The Innovation Lab is open to everyone, regardless of age or skill level.
“These devices are entry level,” said Farmer. “If you have no experience you can jump right in and get your feet wet with whatever you’re interested in. We have programs going next month that will teach people how to use all the devices and things in a classroom type setting.”
With these user-friendly devices now available, Marines are encouraged to foster their creativity and discover new ways to solve problems.
“Our Marine Corps Installations Pacific Innovation Lab is just the beginning,” said Maj. Gen. Joaquin F. Malavet, the MCIPAC commanding general. “Fundamentally, this is about strengthening our future national security and our current combat readiness. Our Marines must be encourage to think big and do." This Innovation Lab sets those conditions. Our young, creative, technologically savvy, and highly-intellectual warriors are the absolute catalysts for innovative discoveries, and, they will most certainly drive our Marine Corps in the right direction, to achieve the right victories."
The Innovation Lab strives to create an environment where visitors have creative freedom and out-of-the-box tools to meet their goals, whatever they may be.
“We don’t want to prescribe something for you do to in the Innovation Lab,” said Farmer. “We want you to be able to think of the next big thing. There are a lot of possibilities, but we can’t figure out all of them on our own. We need your help.”

• Date Taken: 03.27.2017
• Date Posted: 03.28.2017 02:39
• Story ID: 228263
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP