Samsung Launches 2023-24 STEM Competition

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. launched the 2023-24 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, a nationwide competition that empowers students in grades 6–12 to harness use of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to create solutions addressing relevant issues in local communities. U.S. public middle and high school teachers are invited to submit an application that asks students address some of society’s pressing challenges by applying the principles of problem-based learning (PBL) through real-world problem-solving and entrepreneurship.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is adapting to celebrate and incentivize youthful innovation and ingenuity with a new national “Rising Entrepreneurship Award” valued at $25,000 for one winning school. This honor underscores the importance of highlighting solutions that excel in the competition and ultimately evolve into scalable and sustainable ventures that may help shape the future workforce.

The Rising Entrepreneurship Award, as well as the Sustainability Innovation Award—an honor created in 2021 in response to Gen Z’s approach to the planet, joins prize packages that will award more than $2 million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies to STEM teachers across America.

“As we launch the 14th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, we're excited to witness the energy and creativity of our young participants, who represent the future,” says Ann Woo, head of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America. “With a prize pool of $2 million, we're truly investing in the potential of Gen Z to shape the world with their visionary ideas and make a positive impact. And we're thrilled to celebrate the fifth year of our partnership with DonorsChoose, the leading way to give to preK–12 public schools.”

Application Process

Now through Friday, October 27, public school teachers across the U.S. can apply for this year’s STEM competition. In prior years, participating students have identified significant societal and environmental challenges, designing STEM-based concepts that address food waste and insecurity, urban decay and blight, inequality, mental health, and the influence of climate change on extreme environmental events.

The Solve for Tomorrow application process takes about 2 minutes—and you don’t need to be a STEM teacher to apply. (Public school History, Arts, and Physical Education teachers, plus coaches and administrators, are invited to apply as well.) What is needed is an initial idea outlining how students would use STEM to address a critical need in their local community.

Competition Phases and Grand Prizes

Once applications are submitted by the October deadline, schools will have the opportunity to move ahead to the following competition phases:

• 300 State Finalists. At least five from each state, from the overall pool of applicants, will receive a $2,500 prize package.
• 50 State Winners will receive a Samsung Video Kit to assist in the development of their “STEM solution pitch video,” as well as $12,000 in Samsung technology.

—One of the 50 State Winner schools will be recognized as visionaries for driving sustainable change through STEM innovation with a Sustainability Innovation Award, and an additional $50,000 prize package

—One State Winner will be selected for the new Rising Entrepreneurship Award worth $25,000 in Samsung educational technology.

• 10 National Finalist Schools will participate in a live pitch event where they will present their project to a panel of judges. Seven of these schools will be awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies.

–A Community Choice Winner will also be determined through online voting by the general public, winning an additional $10,000 in prizes.

—An Employee Choice Winner will be selected by Samsung employees to receive $10,000 in prizes in addition to their National Finalist winnings.

• Judges will name three National Winners, each of whom earns a prize package worth $100,000.

To enter Solve for Tomorrow and for official competition rules, visit Samsung.com/solve. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, October 27, 2023.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow launched in 2010 as a way to boost interest, proficiency and diversity in STEM. The education-based citizenship program is now a catalyst for a change in the perception of STEM, an important aspect in fostering a skilled 21st century workforce and informed citizens of the modern world. To date, Solve for Tomorrow has awarded $25 million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies to 3,500-plus public schools across the United States.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.