WHO: Gilroy resident and Gavilan Computer Graphics and Design (CGD) Student Herman “Al” Tyler

WHAT: Will be honored with the Best in Show Trophy for the Industrial Technology Education competition at the California State Fair. The competition was open to all California Community College Students. Tyler’s thoughtfully rendered images of a boat he designed earned this Gavilan CGD Student a Golden Bear Trophy for his Mechanical Drafting Show entry. In addition to Al Tyler’s Best in Show Trophy, his project and animated images qualified him to receive a $100 gift certificate and two first place rosettes.

WHEN: 10 a.m., July 17, 2010

WHERE: Center Stage, Expo Center, Cal Expo Fairgrounds, 1600 Exposition Blvd., California State Fair, Sacramento,

BACKGROUND: Herman "Al" Tyler is a returning student who enrolled in CGD this past spring to learn SolidWorks, a parametric 3-D mechanical Computer Aided Design (CAD) program used by engineers and designers. In the class he developed an invention he named the "Dual-width Boat."  Tyler’s 3D graphics illustrated his beautiful detailing while his animated images demonstrated how his boat’s sides collapse to a width of eight feet for easy transport and increased speed or can expand to twelve feet for better stability and more comfort. 

"In these economically challenging times it is especially appreciated for the State Fair to showcase the diverse ways that Industrial Technology students such as Al Tyler, can develop marketable skills  in relevant and rigorous Career Technology Education courses”  noted Colette Marie McLaughlin, Gavilan College CGD Instructor.  Award winner Al Tyler, echoed the importance of this competition: ““The CGD program at Gavilan provided the tools and training to develop presentation drawings and videos of my Dual-width boat design. Obviously I would like to see the concept developed into hardware, and the Industrial Technology Education Competition has provided the exposure to show the concept to any interested parties.”

For more information about the  Industrial and Technical Competition go to http://www.bigfun.org/pdfs/competitions/inded/IndedQuickRef.pdf. Further information about the award is available at http://apps.calexpo.com/fair/WhatsNew/View.asp?PRelId=313. For Gavilan College Computer Graphics and Design program information go to http://www.gavilan.edu/cgd/.



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