strength clare: Coast student, 13, designs iPad app

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Felicity Sheppard ??|??12:01am November 17, 2012

Leio McLaren with his new iPad app. Pic: Tim Marsden

IT'S app, app and away for Kings Christian College student Leio McLaren, 13, who recently launched his first iPad application, Phonic Buddies.

The budding businessman has been working on the project for five months and is excited to see it reach the market.

"I'm so happy," he said.

"It's a huge relief to have finished."

The app is designed to help children with language skills and has been a labour of love for Leio.

He thought of the app while watching his younger cousin struggle with her homework.

College spokesman Stephen Wruck said this willingness to help others was typical of Leio, who is the school captain.

"Leio will see problems that his classmates are struggling with and create videos or tutorials to help them," Mr Wruck said.

But Phonic Buddies has proved to be Leio's biggest project yet.

"I have loved the challenge, it has been no easy feat," he said.

"Since I started this process, I've spent hundreds of hours researching. I did a lot of market research with young children."

But Leio is quick to thank the teachers who helped him along the way.

"They have encouraged my talents and given me chances to build my technical and leadership skills," he said.

Leio has also had the support of his family, with eight-year-old sister Gracie voicing the app and older brother Jasper, 22, composing the music.

Leio is keen to help others too and will donate 20 per cent of app sales to charity.

After this programming success, Leio said that he was keen to explore new challenges.

"I like trying lots of different things," he said.

strength clare