Inspiring Solutions for Canada’s Next 150: Four Winning Schools named in 2017 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge

Each school will receive $20000 in Samsung technology to further support their initiatives and STEM inspiration

MISSISSAUGA, ON – June 21, 2017 – Today, Samsung Canada announced the final four, regional winners in its Solve for Tomorrow Challenge, a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-based education initiative that seeks to spark student interest in these subjects. Burnaby South Secondary School (Burnaby, BC), Ryerson Elementary School (Winnipeg, MB), St. Malachy’s Memorial High School (Saint John, NB) and Brock Public School (Toronto, ON) will each receive $20000 in Samsung technology as a result of their inventive and inspiring solutions to solve a community issue using STEM. The four winners will also participate in an exclusive event this summer with Solve for Tomorrow Ambassador, Canadian rocket-scientist, Forbes ’30 Under 30′ and member of a Canadian contingent working on the European Space Agency’s ExoMars rover, Natalie Panek.

“As we celebrate Canada’s 150^th and look to the next 150, these student-led solutions exemplify the critical thinking and impact driving Canada’s future in STEM education.  Each of the innovative projects have the potential to truly impact their and the global communities-we could not be more impressed by their passion to solve for tomorrow today,” said Mark Childs, Chief Brand Officer, Samsung Canada.

These schools were the highest scoring projects from 150 regional finalists-in celebration of Canada’s 150^th-with each of the 150 finalists having received a Samsung Gear VR, Galaxy Tab A, Galaxy S7 and Samsung Gear360 camera from Samsung Canada to aid them in their submissions. The four regional winning STEM solutions are:

• Western Region- Burnaby South Secondary School and BC School for the Deaf (Burnaby, BC)

o   Highlighting a local issue BSSS students worked on designing a wearable bracelet-sensory system that can translate sounds into vibrations for the hearing impaired.

• Central Region- Ryerson Elementary School (Winnipeg, MB)

o   Harnessing the power of mobile technology, students have developed scannable QR codes and placed them throughout the Ryerson. Once scanned by a smartphone, an individual would be directed to a visual translation of what the building is-enabling them to become more familiar with the places in their community.

• Atlantic Region- St. Malachy’s Memorial High School (Saint John, NB)

o   St. Malachy students devised a system of sensors to monitor air quality and provide live updates to a mapping interface. This system was also tested at high altitudes using a weather balloon.

• Eastern Region- Brock Public School (Toronto, ON)

o   Going green, students at Brock Public School built a prototype water system, harnessing rain and snow to support and water their community’s rooftop garden. This promoted healthy activity and nutrition to help their local community members grow their own food, while also maintaining the garden throughout the spring and summer months.

“These student-led projects are a true inspiration,” said Natalie Panek, Solve for Tomorrow Ambassador. “To see how committed and creative these students are-taking STEM to that next level-shows that Canada’s future in STEM is in strong hands. I can’t wait to meet these amazing students and celebrate their innovative Solve for Tomorrow ideas!”

For the second consecutive year, the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge was supported by The Learning Partnership, a national charitable organization dedicated to advancing public education in Canada, and Let’s Talk Science, a charitable youth development organization that creates and delivers free STEM learning program and services that support educators and strengthen student leaning outcomes.

To learn more about the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge, visit solvefortomorrow.ca, or follow #SamsungSolve in Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.