U.S. Public Middle and High Schools to Vie
for a Share of $2 Million in Prizes
Samsung Electronics America is excited to mark the 15th
anniversary of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (SFT), announcing
the call for entries that launches the 2024-2025 season. This
award-winning, nationwide competition empowers public school
students in grades 6–12 to leverage STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics) to develop innovative solutions that
address pressing local issues in their communities.
Every year, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow awards more than $2
million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies to
participating schools throughout the U.S. To date, the competition
has awarded more than $27 million in technology and classroom
supplies to 4,000-plus public middle and high schools. More than
600,000 students from 27,000-plus schools have demonstrated the
role STEM can play in tackling some of the biggest community issues
that matter most to them.
15 Years of Impact: Reflecting on the Past, Looking to the
Future Samsung Solve for Tomorrow launched in 2010 as a
platform to boost interest, proficiency, and equity in STEM. The
education-based citizenship program has transformed perceptions of
STEM, becoming a crucial driver in fostering a diverse and skilled
STEM workforce and inspiring informed, engaged citizens.
“Over 15 years of service, we’re immensely proud of what Samsung
Solve for Tomorrow and participating schools, students, and
teachers have achieved for the benefit of their communities,” said
Ann Woo, Head of Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics
America. “Solve for Tomorrow has inspired students nationwide, from
addressing urban decay in Michigan to safeguarding social justice
in Pennsylvania, protecting pollinators in Texas, devising wildfire
warning technology in California, preventing heat-related illnesses
in sports in Florida, and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in New
Jersey to preserve endangered indigenous languages. It’s been a
catalyst for meaningful change across the U.S.”
What originated as a simple essay contest has now advanced to
embrace Problem-based Learning (PBL), social impact
entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship,
involving community input, practical prototypes development, and
entrepreneurial ventures to ensure Solve for Tomorrow STEM
solutions live on as self-sustaining social enterprises that
continue to contribute to their communities. The competition format
today incorporates video-based storytelling, building support for a
concept, and live pitch presentations emulating the real-life
environment STEM students face in higher education and the STEM
workspace.
Woo continued, “Solve for Tomorrow’s track record of advancing
equity in STEM education – ensuring participation from
under-resourced Title I and rural schools, deepening the roles
girls take in leading STEM work – has been a significant
accomplishment for us. Looking ahead, we can’t wait to see the
creative and empathetic solutions Gen Z and Gen Alpha students will
develop this year – especially as emerging tech like AI, 3D
printing, and robotics play an increasing role. Our U.S. initiative
has been so impactful that Solve for Tomorrow has expanded into a
global program for Samsung Electronics, now running in 64 countries
worldwide and reaching 2.3 million-plus students worldwide. Solve
for Tomorrow is a powerful reminder of how essential STEM is for
innovation – how it is threaded through all of our daily lives –
and how different our worlds would be if not for STEM.”
The Application Process U.S. public middle and high
school educators are encouraged to submit applications now through
Thursday, October 24, inviting their Gen Z and Gen Alpha students
to drive meaningful change. Participating students routinely work
with their communities and local leadership to identify significant
societal challenges, then design STEM-based concepts that address
topics as diverse as accessibility, mental health, school safety,
urban waste, and the influence of climate change in exacerbating
extreme environmental events.
The Solve for Tomorrow entry application asks teachers to answer
just three questions. At the entry stage, all that’s required is an
initial idea outlining how students would use STEM to address a
critical need in their local community. And educators don’t have to
be a STEM teacher to apply—History, Arts, Physical Education
teachers, coaches, and administrators from public schools are all
welcome!
Competition Phases & Grand Prizes Once applications
are submitted by the October deadline, schools will have the
opportunity to move ahead to the following competition phases:
State Finalists
A total of 300 State Finalists,
with at least five from each state, will be selected from the
overall pool of applicants to receive a $2,500 Samsung
technology prize package.
State Winners
50 State Winners will get a Samsung
Video Kit to help create their “STEM solution pitch video,” along
with $12,000 worth of Samsung technology.
One of the 50 State Winner schools will be
recognized as visionaries for driving sustainable change through
STEM innovation with a Sustainability Innovation Award, and
an additional $25,000 prize package, including Samsung
ENERGY STAR® technology.
From the 50 State Winners, one school will
be selected for the Rising Entrepreneurship Award, receiving
a $25,000 prize package to nurture and develop their STEM
solution into a venture extending beyond the competition.
National Finalists
10 National Finalists will
participate in a live pitch event where they will present their
project to a panel of judges. Seven of these schools will be
awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom
supplies.
From the National Finalists, one
Community Choice Winner will be determined through online
voting by the general public, winning an additional $10,000 in
prizes.
One Employee Choice Winner will be
selected by Samsung employees to receive $10,000 in prizes
in addition to their National Finalist winnings.
National Winners
Judges will name three National
Winners, each of whom earns a prize package worth $100,000.
To enter Solve for Tomorrow and for official competition rules,
please visit Samsung.com/solve. The deadline to submit is 11:59
p.m. ET on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
*$2 million prize is based on an estimated retail value.
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Media: Sharon Oh sharon@relev8.co