Background: Lightning Development is a group of high school students who developed an app -- a paid-for game -- with all proceeds going to Youth for Technology. You can read more about the student’s here.

Can you tell me, in a very broad sense, about your interest in technology?

Technology is now such a huge part of our lives now, with computers and cell phones in particular, and it’s going to be an even bigger part of our lives in the future.

As background, I started a computer science writing program in my junior year. Some other students in the group have been coding since they were little. This project helped the entire group develop our skills. I like combining my interests to learn more and at the same time help other people learn by supporting YTF.

Technology is important, especially considering what YTF does -- getting kids excited about technology, using it as a learning tool -- we’re going to need kids to be tech savvy.

What drives you to continue mobile/technology work?

As cell phones and tablets are increasingly popular, we wanted to make a game on a mobile platform and sell it to help YTF. First, phone games are easier to make on short time scale, and we considered people will play every now and then. If you want to develop a similar things for the computer, it’s usually in a packaged format in flash and people don’t pay for the simple computer games. Also, paid computer games are much more in depth.

Phones also reach a wider audience than computer games, you often see those iPad apps where even kids can play on them. Mobile technology has a wider and more rapidly increasing function.

Even if people in developing countries aren’t using the app directly, we’re helping with awareness in first world countries. People see the game on the market and they know when they’re buying it, they’re helping someone who doesn’t have access to that technology. It’s making a connection.

Why did you/your group decide to partner with a non-profit (to give back)?

At Sage Hill School, in Newport Coast, California, every year you have a service learning project. Where some schools require you to clock in hours, Sage Hill encourages you first as a freshman and sophomore to work with schools in nearby less privileged communities. Then your junior and senior year, they encourage you to work more in depth with some organization or come up with your own project and partner with an organization to help people more directly and really make a difference.

Everyone in the Lightning Development group was in a computer science class last year, and we thought this year we should make a game. We thought YTF would be the best choice as we wanted a technology related charity.

What are your thoughts on the role technology plays in a global setting?

The way we’re utilizing technology in a sense, with the game and contribution with YTF, is one way to use it. But you see the global impact of technology all over the news, like with the Arab Spring movement, Twitter and all mobile technologies help to organize huge movements. This is both here in the U.S. and in the world, like movements against SOPA and the privacy acts. I think more and more of the Internet and mobile Internet are increasingly used to make change on a large scale, and can happen a lot faster than before. It’s useful for creating change on a global economic, social and political scale.

What do you see the strengths of your group are, as a high school class and individuals, specifically relating to the talent you hope to contribute to Youth for Technology?

We all started out as beginners doing a full on computer science project, throughout this we’ve all got our own specifications in different things we’re good at.

Robert has been working on graphics, and we’re going to release a massive update at end of year, even pulling out into 3D. I’m working on physics engine to make the game run smoother. Other members are developing new puzzles and features. We have been doing other side projects, and we’ve learned a lot through our projects.

This project got all of us into the realm of computer science and learning how to do these things, we know it will be useful later in life. At least one other member going into computer science after graduation.

Any final thoughts you'd like to share about the importance of donating time and talent to organizations, like YTF?

Lot of people have technology skills now, and I think it’s important that we give our time, especially if we’re good at something. It’s important to do something for our community and not for a personal gain all the time. I know a lot of people who contribute to the open source community, which helps other developers and users who can’t afford to buy the latest commercial software. It’s very important that we keep in mind that not everyone has the opportunity to learn in the same way that I have. So if not everyone has this opportunity, it’s important if you can, you should give back a little and contribute.

 

Interviewed in March 2012 by Sarah Olinger, YTF Communications at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

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Introducing YTF Volunteer… Nathan Janos

 

Nathan is an online volunteer for YTF. He graduated with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT and currently lives in Los Angeles.

What is your past experience in volunteering?

“I’ve done various tutoring jobs for kids throughout my life really, more in science and math.  I have also coached swimming for kids, and I’m currently helping kids with science projects.”

What type of work do you do currently?

“’I’m a software engineer. I recently changed positions; I used to work as an algorithms engineer.”

What are your motivations for volunteering for a non-profit like YTF?

“I really like giving back to kids as opposed to all the other ways you can donate. I believe technology is the force that’s going to save us. Technology is a great tool, and I like the idea of helping kids get access to technology and information.

I actually started volunteering after I donated to YTF. I was looking to donate to an organization that works with kids and technology a couple years ago as gift for Christmas for my family, and ended up donating to Youth for Technology, and then was contacted to volunteer my time”

What role do you think technology plays in a global setting?

“Say a kid was interested in a concept, they could look up a Wikipedia article in the middle of nowhere and learn something. That wouldn’t happen 25 years ago.  Give them a $100 computer, an Internet connection, and a power source and they have all they need. This is good for all kids, but there are some kids I imagine that have certain minds that could go on to cure cancer or help the world in some other way if only they have access to information. I hope they go out and explore dreams, or even have the chance to find those dreams.

For me, I came from poor public school and I didn’t have resources at home, but was still able to go to the library.  I would imagine now that our potential is even greater. Access to technology lets kids lead their own way and do things like strategize about how to start their own micro-enterprise, see options for going to university, or get information on how to achieve their future goals.”

What do you see your strengths as, specifically relating to the talent you hope to contribute to Youth for Technology Foundation?

“I manage YTF’s Search Engine Marketing Campaign. I happen to know a lot in this field so it’s easy for me to help out with this.”

Any final thoughts you'd like to share about the importance of donating time and talent to organizations, like YTF?

“I get real sense of satisfaction out of donating; it’s something you don’t get unless you do it.  People should donate, even just a little bit.  Give $50 or a weekend. There is a long lasting personal satisfaction after donating time that I think is surprising.”

 

Interviewed in December 2010 by Sarah Olinger, YTF Communications ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

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