Samsung Raises Prize Pool for 2023 Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Samsung Electronics has announced its 13th annual Solve for Tomorrow $2 million contest to teachers of U.S. public school students in grades 6–12. The contest encourages teachers to submit ideas on how their students can help their communities by problem-solving with the help of classroom technology and other supplies. Application deadline is Nov. 2, 2022.

Students are challenged to use STEM resources to create solutions to needs in their communities. The contest is part of Samsung’s “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People” initiative to empower students to “achieve their full potential and pioneer positive social change,” the company said in a release.

The contest was launched in 2010 and has awarded $20 million in technology and materials to U.S. public schools since its inception.

The project theme for the 2022 contest is short- and long-term environmental impact with a commitment to sustainability. To that end, Samsung has increased its Sustainability Innovation Award to $50,000.

“We challenge this year’s applicants to find issues they’re passionate about and see firsthand the true impact STEM can have to better their community and the planet,” said Michelle Crossan-Matos, SVP, Corporate Marketing, Citizen & Communications officer at Samsung Electronics America. “We enjoy seeing the diverse projects that students conceptualize each year and are excited to see the innovations to come out of the 13th annual competition.”

Winners will be chosen in several categories: 300 State Finalists from the pool of applicants will receive a $2,500 prize package; 50 State Winners will receive a Samsung Video Kit to assist in video development, as well as $12,000 in Samsung technology and supplies for classroom use; one of the 50 State Winner schools will be chosen as the Sustainability Innovation Award Winner to win an additional $50,000 prize package of environmental classroom technology.

From there, 10 National Finalist Schools will be selected to participate in the pitch event where they will present their project to a panel of judges. For achieving National Finalist status, seven of these schools will be awarded $50,000 in technology and supplies while the remaining three will be named National Grand Prize Winners.

Three National Grand Prize Winner schools will each receive $100,000 in classroom technology and supplies.

Of the top 10 schools, one Community Choice Winner will also be determined through online public voting and will be eligible to win an additional $10,000 in Samsung technology, and one Employee Choice Winner will be selected by Samsung employees to also receive $10,000 of technology in addition to their national winnings.

Visit the contest rules page to learn how to apply and for more information.

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

Featured

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Accessibility Enhancements for DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education has updated DreamBox Math, an online math program for K–8 students to supplement core instruction, to improve accessibility for K–5 students, according to a news release. DreamBox Math provides personalized instruction by adapting to individual learners’ responses and providing an engaging, dynamic learning environment.

  • stylized illustration of a modern laptop on a classroom desk, displaying a digital AI certification

    Partnership Brings AI Credentialing Product to Minecraft Education Platform

    Prodigy Learning and Minecraft Education have partnered to bring credentialing in AI skills to the Minecraft learning environment. "AI Ready Skills" is the third learning, assessment, and credentialing product from the two companies.

  • metallic padlock with a glowing keyhole, set on a dark gradient background with a faint digital grid and blue-green highlights

    Microsoft Announces Security Updates

    Microsoft has introduced a handful of new security tools and updates, which the company said adhere to its Secure Future Initiative, a set of three core tenets emphasizing "secure by design, secure by default and secure operations."

  • abstract circuit patterns, featuring small icons of coins and dollar symbols in blue, green, and gold tones

    Report: 90% of Schools Depend on E-rate Funding Every Year

    A new report from Funds for Learning highlights the critical role of the Federal Communications Commission's E-rate program in funding essential technologies and services for K-12 schools.