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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.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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