Samsung Names 10 Public Schools National Finalists in $2 Million Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Ridgefield Park N.J. –– Samsung today announced the 10 national finalists in the 7th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest – a nationwide competition that challenges students to use STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skills to improve their local communities. Students from across the country have spent the past few months using STEAM skills to improve the environment, help individuals in need, make their communities safer and much more. Each school will receive $50,000 in technology for their efforts.

National finalist projects this year include apps to combat hunger and ensure safety, a vending machine of free toiletries and more for homeless communities, disaster relief centers and herbicide-spraying drones, to name a few. Selected from thousands of schools nationwide, each national finalist was awarded based on their creative approach, use of STEAM skills and impact on the community.

“We never cease to be amazed and inspired by the creativity and dedication of students and teachers participating in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest,” said Ann Woo, senior director of corporate citizenship, Samsung Electronics America. “The theme that students really focused on this year is a concern and consideration to help fellow their students – from safety and well-being to inclusion and equality. This contest was created to address the growing technology gap in our classrooms, and these students are a clear example of the endless possibilities and impact of STEAM education.”

The 10 national finalists will present their projects to a panel of judges in New York City on Tuesday, March 14 in the quest to be named one of three national grand prize winners and recipients of $150,000 in technology.

Anyone throughout the country can vote for their favorite school and project to determine this year’s community choice winner. To participate, one needs to view the videos at Samsung.com/solve, then cast their votes by posting their favorite school’s given hashtag on Twitter between now until 11:59 p.m. EST, March 17, 2017.

NEW THIS YEAR

Samsung collaborated with Indiegogo to help schools raise funds online and provided additional seed funding toward each school project. In total, schools were able to raise $17.6k to generate funds to complete their projects.

Students were also given the opportunity to select and advocate for a local charity of choice, inspired by their project’s purpose, in an effort to win a donation on its behalf. The national winners will win their non-profit of choice a $20,000 donation.

The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest was created in 2010 to encourage innovation while addressing the technology gap in classrooms across the country. Each year, the competition inspires more active, hands-on teaching and learning among schools nationwide. Since 2004, Samsung has provided more than $19 million in technology to more than 1,000 public schools in the United States.

This year’s 10 finalists are:

School City, State
Beebe Junior High School
Beebe, Ark.
Snowflake Unified School District Snowflake, Ariz.
Gulfport High School
Gulfport, Miss.
Gering High School
Gering, Neb.
Pinkerton Academy
Derry, N.H.
John P. Holland Charter School
Paterson, N.J.
Secondary School for Journalism
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Ross High School
Hamilton, Ohio
Crownover Middle School
Corinth, Texas
Pineville Middle School
Pineville, W.Va.

To learn more about the contest, please visit: ​www.samsung.com/solve.

Featured

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • Epson Receives Seven AV Industry Awards

    Projectors manufacturer Epson recently announced that it received multiple awards across the Higher Ed AV Awards, SCN Stellar Service Awards, and InfoComm 2025, according to a news release. The company was recognized for three projectors from its PowerLite L-Series line, accessories, installation process, and its customer support team.

  • old university building with visible aging signs, overlaid with digital data graphics like thermal maps, charts, and system icons

    Modernizing Higher Education Infrastructure: Why Smarter Facility Management Is Essential to Protecting Aging Schools

    Schools now have the opportunity to adopt smarter, more strategic approaches to futureproof operations and enhance the on-campus experience.

  • Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Through Creative Campus Development

    Many Southern California college and university campuses are living amidst surging housing costs, driving the need to house more of their populations on campus. Especially for community colleges, the need to support millions of unhoused and housing insecure students has become a prominent issue that lawmakers and institutions alike are trying to solve.

Digital Edition