TechShop and Fujitsu Partner to Empower Maker Movement

SAN FRANCISCO and TOKYO, Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- TechShop, Inc., a nationwide chain of makerspaces with eight locations, Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Laboratories of America today announced the joint launch of "TechShop Inside! — Powered by Fujitsu," a mobile makerspace for students of all ages in the form of a 24-foot trailer equipped with some of TechShop's most popular building and prototyping technologies. This new initiative is based on a strategic partnership between TechShop and Fujitsu Limited that will work to empower the growing maker movement.

Driven by TechShop and Fujitsu Laboratories of America, TechShop Inside! — Powered by Fujitsu underscores a commitment to education and to increasing youth's creativity and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) through "learning by making," offering students hands-on activities and access to technologies.

"From children to teachers and other mentors, people find making things fascinating and a fun way to learn," said Mark Hatch, TechShop CEO. "When we show people how easy it is to create in a way that helps them understand the process, they become more curious, engaged and genuinely interested in learning more."

Inside the mobile makerspace are tools and equipment such as mini 3D printers, Universal Laser Systems and Fujitsu LIFEBOOK Tablet PCs, to deliver a truly integrated, hands-on environment that will foster an empowering experience at each school which "TechShop Inside! — Powered by Fujitsu" visits.

"We at Fujitsu have a deep understanding of how facilitating opportunities to make things leads to innovation," said Tango Matsumoto, corporate senior vice president of Fujitsu Limited. "The maker movement in general, and more specifically our partnership with TechShop, gives young makers the chance to have hands-on experiences that instill a personal sense of empowerment. Helping the next generation realize that they can make a difference is a vital step in addressing the world's many challenges."

TechShop Inside! will kick off its inaugural tour with an announcement at the first World Open Innovation Conference in Napa today. The unit will then travel to San Francisco to visit an after school program, where students will get their first hands on at "TechShop Inside! — Powered by Fujitsu."

"Making sure our public schools have access to the most innovative learning environments is critical for preparing our youth for college and the jobs of the 21st Century economy," said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. "This new partnership with TechShop and Fujitsu will offer students real hands-on learning and get our youth excited about STEAM education. Making sure students and educators are at the cutting edge of technology and the maker movement is one way we can build a pathway for our City's next innovators and entrepreneurs of the future."

Endorsements in Education
Bay Area educational organizations and institutions are already in discussion to bring future programming via TechShop Inside! – Powered by Fujitsu includes: Mulberry School, Brentwood Academy, Design Tech High School, Los Altos School District, Siatech, San Jose libraries, Santa Clara County libraries.

"We want all of our students to have learning opportunities where they can create and solve problems using different materials and technologies," said San Francisco Unified School District superintendent Richard A. Carranza. "When students have access to new tools and experiences in and out of school, they are more likely to find their spark. Science and math classes are increasingly becoming hands-on learning labs where students are encouraged to collaborate and innovate."

"The joint efforts of TechShop and Fujitsu demonstrate a new direction for Open Innovation in practice," said Professor Henry Chesbrough of University of California at Berkeley, the father of Open Innovation.

"They are not simply working together themselves, but creating and expanding a community of students, individuals, educators and managers, all of whom will be innovators in the world of 3D printing."

Learning institutions that would like to request a visit from TechShop Inside!, can contact [email protected] or go to http://my.techshop.com/inside for more info.

About TechShop, Inc.
Founded in October 2006, TechShop is a membership-based, do-it-yourself (DIY) workshop and fabrication studio providing access to a vibrant community of creative people and more than $1 million worth of high quality machines, tools and software. TechShop offers classes, workshops, instruction and meet-ups for people of all ages and skill levels. TechShop is based in San Jose, Calif., with locations nationwide.

For information and course listings, visit www.techshop.com, email [email protected] or call 855-TECHSHOP. You can follow TechShop on Twitter at "@TechShop." TechShop is also on Facebook as "TechShop Incorporated."

About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 162,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.8 trillion yen (US$46 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. For more information, please see:http://www.fujitsu.com

About Fujitsu Laboratories of America
Fujitsu Laboratories of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. (Japan), focusing on research on Internet, interconnect technologies, software development and solutions for several industry verticals. Conducting research in an open environment, it contributes to the global research community and the IT industry. It is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. For more information, please see: www.fla.fujitsu.com

All company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.

Media contacts
TechShop
Connie Zheng
North of Nine Communications
(415) 400-6655
[email protected]

Fujitsu Laboratories of America, Inc.
Andrea Cisneros
408-530-4513
[email protected]

Finn Partners
Andrew Corcione
212-593-5844
[email protected]

Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations Division
Inquiries:https://www-s.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/inquiries/index.html

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SOURCE Fujitsu America, Inc.

Related Links

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