Samsung Electronics America recognizes 300 schools as state finalists in Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition
Samsung Electronics America has announced that 300 public middle and high schools were recognized as State Finalists in the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition.
Representing all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, these schools were selected from thousands of entries for their innovative solutions addressing critical community challenges.
Each State Finalist school will receive a $2,500 Samsung technology prize package and continue competing for a share of more than $2 million in prizes, including three $100,000 National Winner awards.
Promoting STEM education and real-world solutions
The Solve for Tomorrow competition encourages students in grades 6–12 to use STEM principles to tackle pressing societal issues. The program has been recognized with several awards, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Citizens Award for Best Commitment to Education Program, for its impact on advancing STEM education and fostering student-driven innovation.
This year, 60% of the participating schools represent Title 1 institutions, highlighting the program’s efforts to promote equity in education and expand access to STEM opportunities.
Salman Taufiq, Director of Corporate Marketing at Samsung Electronics America, said:
“Solve for Tomorrow has long embodied Samsung’s strategy, purpose, and values. From our roots as a small television manufacturer in the 1960s to becoming a global technology leader, STEM has been part of our DNA. As we celebrate 15 years of Solve for Tomorrow, we are proud to continue our commitment to ensuring America’s students stay engaged in STEM education and pursue careers in this field.
“These State Finalist teams are answering that call by engaging technology for good, like their quick adoption of AI to power wide-ranging solutions that address not only pressing challenges in their communities but also global issues.”
This year’s finalists showcased a dedication to solving real-world challenges through projects emphasizing sustainability and technology. Approximately 33% of proposals addressed climate issues, including solutions for extreme weather events, sustainable construction materials, and renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Other projects focused on mental health, school safety, and leveraging technologies such as AI, 3D printing, and robotics.
Students are using AI for applications such as early cancer detection, accessibility tools for the visually impaired, and improved language translation, demonstrating how emerging technologies can drive meaningful change.
Next steps in the competition
Finalist schools will now submit detailed activity plans outlining their projects’ objectives, STEM-based solutions, and anticipated community impact by January 9, 2025.
These plans will determine the 50 State Winners, each awarded $12,000 in Samsung technology and a video production kit to help create their pitch videos. From these winners, additional awards include:
Sustainability Innovation Award: $25,000 for advancing sustainable solutions.
Rising Entrepreneurship Award: $25,000 for developing STEM solutions into ventures.
Ten National Finalists will be invited to present their projects at a live event, with three National Winners each receiving a $100,000 prize package. Additional awards include the Community Choice and Employee Choice prizes, each worth $10,000.
