Doug Carman is the creator of Triaddle and Try-Tac-Toe.

In 1998, Doug retired from an Operational Management career in the aerospace industry. He joined his wife, Darlene, in a small business teaching art in local schools, recreation centers, and at community events.

In 2004, the State of California cut major funding for the arts in schools which resulted in the termination of most contracted art programs. Aware of the benefits of art, several concerned teachers asked about other activities the Carmans could provide. This request encouraged Doug to reach back over thirty years to evaluate a spatial recognition game he created as a graphic artist.

In Doug's more current research into (right-brain) visual learning, he found the predominately (left-brain) sequential learning process in schools isn't adequately balanced with (right-brain) spatial thinking activities. California's educational studies reveal when children are exposed to spatial thinking activities in their elementary school years, they develop stronger language and critical thinking skilles.

Trial tests of Triaddle and Try-Tac-Toe at several local schools confirm that these games are an economical way to provide a spatial thinking activity for classrooms and after-school programs.

Austin S. Lu is a satellite engineer (B.S. & M.Eng from Cornell University, MBA from UC Berkeley), and always had an interest in increasing STEM participation in kids.

Austin met Doug while volunteering on "Darlene Carman Presents" for over three years. Knowing Austin's educational background, and coming from the same industry, Doug also tapped into Austin's fondness of increasing math and critical thinking skills in kids and solicited his help in bringing Triaddle to market.

When not designing satellite payloads, Austin tutors kids at the local library, participates in College/Career Days at elementary and middle schools, and volunteers with Doug at the Midpeninsula Community Media Center on community television shows.

---