Schools Receive 60 New Macs: Donated Computers Used for Learning, Research
Posted on: Tuesday, 7 March 2006, 12:00 CST
By Adrienne Steinfeldt, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Mar. 7--Even after the lights are turned out and everyone's gone home for the day, Muhlenberg County's high school computer labs are still busy places, with new Macintosh computers analyzing hundreds of thousands of molecule combinations in the search for potential cancer treatments.
And during the day, students are learning how to use Macintosh computers and taking advantage of student-friendly software packages.
The 60 free computers -- 30 at each high school -- are part of the Kentucky Dataseam Initiative, which puts computers into schools across the state for learning during the day and cancer research at night.
Having new Macintosh computers in the schools gives students a leg up on today's technology, said Muhlenberg North High School assistant principal Brad Phipps.
"There's a learning curve" when switching from PCs to Macs, Phipps said. "Our kids will be experienced enough where they can use PCs and Macs. That's something not a lot of kids coming out of high school can do."
Plus, there's the big bonus -- all of the computers are free, in exchange for the school district letting University of Louisville's James Graham Brown Cancer Center link into the machines after school hours to look for cancer treatments.
Because the school district doesn't have to pay for the computers, they can invest technology dollars in bonuses like scanners, cameras and learning software.
"Keeping technology up to date for our students is one of the biggest budget issues we have to face," Superintendent Dale Todd said. "We're very excited to be a part of this program."
The innovative use of shared technology was applauded by Rep. Brent Yonts, who says "initiatives such as these represent Kentucky's future."
"We need to develop this capability quickly or other states will pass us by in jobs and economic growth," the Greenville Democrat said.
"Not only are we providing exciting, new educational opportunities for our kids, but we are offering a critical resource to growing, research-oriented companies."
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Copyright (c) 2006, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
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Source: Messenger-Inquirer
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