Samsung Launches its Fifth Annual $2 Million Solve for Tomorrow Contest for U.S. Public Schools
Company aims to inspire student interest in science, technology, engineering and math through community-based learning
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., September 8, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Samsung today announced that entries are open for the fifth annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest – a nationwide competition to raise enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by challenging students and teachers to tackle critical issues across the country. Through the competition’s community-based learning approach, youth take topics out of traditional classroom settings and explore, in a hands-on way, how these subjects address core problems that impact their lives and their regions.
“At Samsung, we know that interest in science, technology, engineering and math is critical for the jobs of today, the future of tomorrow and our long-term business success,” said David Steel, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics North America. “By launching the Solve for Tomorrow Contest for a fifth year, our goal is to excite students about these subjects and provide schools with the resources to continue fostering the innovators of tomorrow. We saw very strong community impact and engagement last year, and we’re looking forward to building on that momentum.”
The first 5,000 teachers to enter from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will receive a professional development course from PBS TeacherLine; entries close on October 31, 2014. In November, 255 state finalists will be selected and from that pool, 51 state winners (representing all 50 states and Washington, D.C.) will be announced in December. Of the state winners, 15 will be selected as national finalists and will present their projects to a live panel of judges in March. Five national grand prize winners will then be selected by a panel of judges, Samsung employees and public online voters.
Additionally three special awards will be given by DIRECTV, the National Environmental Education Foundation and Digital Promise to contestants in the 51 state winner pool who will be recognized for their pioneering use of math, environmental innovation and civic engagement, respectively. Throughout the competition, approximately $2 million* of prizes will be presented by Samsung, Adobe, Fortune, PBS TeacherLine, DIRECTV, the National Environmental Education Foundation and Digital Promise.
“Science, technology, engineering, and math are vital for success in most 21st century careers. If you are looking for a fun and challenging way to engage your students in STEM, look no further than the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest,” said Kimberly Bloch, a teacher from Sunburst Middle School in Montana who led her eighth grade class to win the 2013-2014 Solve for Tomorrow competition. “I strongly encourage all teachers to enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest by answering the three simple questions and engaging your students in the exciting world of STEM. You never know where this challenge could lead. It could lead right to the White House, like it led us!”
Last year, more than 2,300 schools from every state and the District of Columbia entered the challenge; five teams were named national grand prize winners, and one of the winning teams attended the White House Science Fair as honored guests for their work in the competition.
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest was created in 2010 to encourage innovation while addressing the technology gap in classrooms across the country. The competition is a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow initiative which aims to engage students nationwide in active, hands-on STEM learning. Since 2004, Samsung has provided more than $15 million in technology to more than 750 public schools in the United States.
To enter or to learn more about the competition and past winners, please visit: http://www.samsung.com/solve
To download b-roll of the Solve for Tomorrow Contest, please visit: https://qlnk.io/ql/540a1e91e4b0357303ce59a7
*Estimated Retail Value
About Samsung Electronics North America
Samsung Electronics North America (NAHQ), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is an arm of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American brand management including Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC and Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, Samsung is one of the most decorated brands in the electronics industry. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. You can also Fan Samsung on www.facebook.com/SamsungUSA or follow Samsung via Twitter @SamsungTweets.
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, tablets, personal computers, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
CONTACT:
Danielle Meister Cohen
Samsung Electronics North America
201-373-7554
D2.Cohen@sea.samsung.com
Lindsay Hyman
Allison+Partners
202-591-1127
SamsungSFT@allisonpr.com
