Samsung Invites Public Schools to Compete in $2 Million Solve for Tomorrow Contest
Samsung doubles its commitment to raise awareness of and interest in STEM learning across America
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., September 12, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Samsung and its partners doubled the total prize value to more than $2 million* as compared to last year and ensured that every state in the nation will benefit in this year’s Solve for Tomorrow by awarding finalists and winners from each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The winners will receive products, software and programming for their schools from Samsung and program partners DirecTV and Adobe.
“Lack of proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) has become a barrier for American children and future U.S. competitiveness abroad,” said David Steel, Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Samsung Electronics North America. “Samsung recognizes our responsibility as a technology leader to not only spark enthusiasm for STEM education, but publicly commit to advancing this critical issue.”
Since 2004, Samsung’s education programs have contributed more than $13 million* in technology to more than 500 public schools in the United States. Samsung continues to support children’s education by providing tools that empower young people to learn through a variety of STEM initiatives, including the company’s Summer Science Camps, Mobile Application Academies and a partnership with the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
Samsung created Solve for Tomorrow in 2010 to foster sustainable innovation and address the technology gap in classrooms across the country to help the United States maintain its economic and technological global leadership for years to come. This year, Solve for Tomorrow’s scope has expanded not only in total prizing but in the challenge contest participants are asked to answer. The focus on prior years was on improving the environment in the students’ local communities, but now the challenge is inclusive of the environment as well as any other way STEM can help improve their communities.
Last year, more than 1,600 classrooms from across the country entered the contest, and 75 semi-finalists received a technology kit – a Samsung camcorder, laptop, and Adobe editing software – to compete in the contest’s video phase. Fifteen finalists selected from that pool won additional prizes in technology as well as the opportunity to be chosen as one of five winners who were celebrated at an event in Washington, D.C.
This year, 255 state finalists will each receive two Samsung tablets and 51 state winners (representing all 50 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C.) will each receive technology packages worth $20,000*. From that pool of 51, the public will have an opportunity to choose the 15 national finalists (receiving technology packages worth $30,000*) from February 14 - March 13, 2014. The five national winners will each receive a prize package valued at $146,000* and will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. A special prize called the Environmental Innovation Award, valued at $50,000*, will be chosen by NEEF and also awarded to one of the 51 state winners. Teachers can enter online through October 31, 2013.
“I would strongly encourage teachers to make the incredibly easy first steps and enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest,” said Michael Lampert, the teacher from West Salem High School in Oregon who led his students to win the grand prize in 2011. “It is a powerful vehicle to launch your kids into the rapidly changing world of STEM.”
To learn more about the contest, past winners, or to enter, please visit samsung.com/solvefortomorrow.
To download the official Solve for Tomorrow program video, go to https://silo.mediasilo.com/quicklink/0869915FC52F8A72DB5E6ADD109F6FAA or visit Samsung’s YouTube channel at http://youtu.be/ePyWGxUkabc.
B-roll of students using Samsung products is available at: https://silo.mediasilo.com/quicklink/0F4BC511CD5C97D8E901C5027172A4E6.
* Estimated Retail Value
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 270,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
