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:
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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One Employee Choice Winner will be selected by Samsung employees to receive $10,000 in prizes in addition to their National Finalist winnings. |
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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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