STEM & STEAM Education
Samsung Launches $2 Million Solve for Tomorrow Contest
Samsung has launched its 12th-annual
Solve for Tomorrow contest, which will award $2 million in
technology and supplies to classrooms across the United States.
The program calls on students to use science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) to "tackle local issues of national
importance in a sustainable way."
This year's contest has been updated. According to Samsung:
"Samsung is furthering its commitment to sustainability through
several company initiatives this year, and the Solve for Tomorrow
Contest is no different. This year’s applicants are encouraged to
use responsibly sourced materials in their prototypes and align their
project ideas with the United Nation’s sustainable development
goals (SDGs). The judging rubric for this year’s contest will also
include a component that will evaluate factors such as the
sustainability of the project idea over time."
A total of 112 prizes will be awarded, including:
-
100 state-level winners, who will be awarded $6,500 in
Samsung technologies and supplies, as well as a kit to help them
complete the next phase of the contest;
-
10 national finalists, of which seven will receive $50,000 in
technology and supplies;
-
3 national winners (of the 10 finalists), who will receive
$100,000 in technology and classroom supplies;
-
1 Community Choice winner, which will receive an additional
$10,000 in prizes; and
-
1 Employee Choice winner, chosen by Samsung employees, which
will also receive an additional $10,000 in prizes.
"The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest was founded more than
a decade ago as an environmental program. While it has since evolved
to make room for the other issues that the next generation is most
passionate about such as mental health and student safety, we want to
keep the environment in mind through this contest that aims to
promote meaningful change," said Ann Woo, senior director of
Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America, in a prepared
statement. "We have seen the incredible projects that have
emerged from the minds of students through this contest, and we
cannot wait to see the ideas that come to life this year that will
undoubtedly ignite lasting impact on communities while reducing our
collective impact on the planet."
Teachers from public schools are eligible to enter. Entries are
due by November 8. Complete
details can be found on the 2021 Solve for Tomorrow site.