The secret to the next breakthrough cancer treatment could soon be hiding in the background of a Bowling Green city schools computer.

The district last week approved an agreement with nonprofit Dataseam that will distribute 20 iMac computers across Bowling Green High School and Bowling Green Junior High.

In exchange, the organization’s “DataseamGrid” quietly utilizes each computer’s processing power to help the University of Louisville’s Brown Cancer Center identify effective cancer drugs.

“To date, 45 patents have been issued based on discoveries coming off the DataseamGrid being a resource to those, and actually two cancer drugs have entered human clinical trials from the grid,” said Dataseam Chief Executive Officer Brian Gupton. “So not to oversimplify, but these school computers could hold the next cure for cancer.”

Gupton said “millions of millions” of simulations are run in the background of each computer comparing chemical compounds to specific cancer cells. He compared it to a digital, automated version of a laboratory setting.

Dataseam has distributed over 30,000 computers to districts and organizations across the state since 2005, Gupton said. The program initially focused on helping upscale labor skills in counties that typically relied on coal production.

The Kentucky General Assembly began allocating general fund dollars to the initiative in 2018, which allowed them to expand their scope to districts like BGISD. The General Assembly earlier this month approved a $3.5 million appropriation for Dataseam to continue its work across the state.

BGISD Director of Technology William King said students already have individual access to Chromebooks, but iMacs like these allow for advanced programs used by real professionals.

Dataseam provides access to Adobe Creative Cloud, an extensive software package widely used by journalists, digital creators, marketers and more.

King said BGHS journalism students, who often photograph and publish information on events across the district, will particularly benefit from access to these machines.

“We’re constantly trying things with (virtual reality) and (augmented reality) and lots of different programs, so we’re just excited to add this to our toolbox so that we can help teachers and kids expand their opportunities in the district,” King said.

The only real cost to the district is a requirement to train or hire a professional with experience working on Apple products.

King said they plan on sending one of their technology staff to a week-long training which will in turn benefit the district. The district utilizes iPads and MacBooks in other areas across the district, meaning this training would extend further than just iMacs.

He added that the district could receive 20 additional iMacs in the future if they decide to send more staff for training, which he said they will consider after a pilot period with the program.

“We understand PCs, we understand Chromebooks and we’ve used Apple products in the past, but to get additional training and be up to date on Apple products, their software, their operating systems, it only benefits us as we potentially expand this program,” King said.

After three years, the DataseamGrid no longer operates in the background of each computer but BGISD maintains ownership. King said the district would likely consider picking up the cost of continuing Adobe Creative Cloud access.

Superintendent Gary Fields said the district’s effortless contribution to cancer research through the initiative, more opportunities for students and additional training for staff makes the initiative a win-win.

“Chromebooks are great, but Chromebooks are great for surfing the web, watching videos, doing homework, those kinds of things,” Fields said. “To produce real high-end content, you really need that quality Mac product and software. We’re excited that students are going to be exposed to that.”