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.

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