Hopes for a future in computers
By Jonathan Kane
Photo courtesy Nathan Lambert
Nathan Lambert, entering his senior year at Wood River High School with a 4.0 grade point average and a member of National Honor Society, has a love of technology – especially computing. To that end, he is building a computer as his personal project this summer.
An avid backcountry skier, Nathan also plays soccer and lacrosse for the Wolverines.
In his course load, he has already taken Advance Placement U.S. History, Macro and Micro Economics, Language and Composition and Psychology and this year will take A.P. Calculus A&B, Physics, Statistics, Literature and Computer Science.
“I love anything to do with computers,” Lambert said. “If I’m not doing homework, then I’m spending my free time on the computer. I have a passion for learning about the hardware and the different programs. I want to major in computer science in college and hopefully become a computer engineer. Knowing how computers work can prepare you for a lot of jobs.”
Lambert began taking an interest in computers in middle school. In his high school freshman year, he took beginning computer programming.
“It was an intro to programing and I learned the proper language and figured out how things work together,” he said. “I also learned how to research because you use Google a lot in program websites.”
Lambert says that in writing programs you tell the computer what you want it to do.
“The whole process is very analytical, but also very creative, because there is rarely one way to do something.”
He is deep into building a computer right now.
“I’ve researched all the computer parts and researched how all of the components work, which will enable me to put it all together and build one. I’ve completed all the background work and ordered the parts and now I’m just waiting for them to ship so I can build it. Now I know how the processor works and all the graphics parts. I knew the basics of the eight major components but that was all.
“I’ve ordered a pre-made case and it’s really not that difficult to put it together. But there is no room for mistakes. If you don’t do it right, it won’t work.”
Lambert is already looking forward to his final year at WHRS.
“I really like it there because of the students and I haven’t had a bad teacher yet,” he said. “The school also offers classes that I really like.”
Lambert prefers math and science.
“I like the mental challenge. I also like knowing that there is only one answer and the satisfaction that you have solved the problem.” Two of his favorite classes were precalculus and psychology.
“I really liked learning about the brain and how people communicate with each other,” he said. “You can take learning about emotions and apply that to yourself. Things like facial expressions are universal and offer you a glimpse into human emotions.”