Samsung Canada Announces Finalist Schools in Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Five Canadian classrooms recognized for bold, innovative ideas to solve sustainability challenges

After a nationwide search, Samsung Canada has announced the five finalist schools in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest[1]. Evaluated by Samsung’s panel of expert judges, the five schools were selected for their bold, innovative solutions to solve environmental challenges affecting communities, and make a difference in the efforts against climate change.

In recognition of their achievement, each school will receive $5,000 towards brand new Samsung technology to support and enhance STEM learning in their classrooms, and to help them continue formulating their plans and submissions. Upon the second round of judging, the grand prize winner will receive $50,000 and be named ‘The School for Tomorrow.’

The five finalist schools are:

• Lincoln Alexander Public School (Ajax, ON): To solve the lack of access to clean drinking water that affects many rural and Indigenous communities, this team proposed an innovative water treatment filter technology that would connect to household taps.
• Saint Augustine Catholic School (Markham, ON): To promote sustainable airline practices, this team proposed to build a Canada-made-contrail projection model that considers flight path and jet fuel to reduce the industry’s harm on climate change.
• St Peter High School (Ottawa, ON): To help drive environmental stewardship at their school and build interest in sustainable food practices, this team proposed a high-tech ‘smart’ garden to serve as a living classroom for plant health and soil monitoring.
• Riverview High School (Riverview, NB): To promote sustainable construction practices, this team proposed leveraging STEM and smart home technology for a fully sustainable home, easily implemented into their local community.
• St Mary St Cecilia Catholic School (Morrisburg, ON): To support the everyday shift to sustainable energy sources, this team proposed a hydrogen generator suitable for residential and commercial use.

“This year’s Solve for Tomorrow finalists demonstrated remarkable innovation combined with a determination to make an impact on both a local and national scale,” said Jihoon Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics Canada. “These ideas are a testament to the passion of Canadian students and why STEM learning and environmental stewardship in schools are of the utmost importance. We’re proud to  continue our commitment to the future of STEM by supporting the schools with Samsung technology.”

The finalists will now create a video submission further detailing their ideas, and receive dedicated mentorship sessions to help refine their submissions from Tovah Barocas, CEO, Earth Rangers and 2023-24 Solve for Tomorrow judge.

To learn more about Solve for Tomorrow, please visit Samsung’s website.

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[1] Terms and Conditions apply. The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest begins on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. EST and ends on June 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec residents) who are twenty one (21) years of age or older and are currently employed as full-time teachers in a public Middle School, Junior High School, or High School, grades 6-12, including Charter Schools that are 50% or more publicly funded in Canada. All Canadian publicly funded schools (except those registered and located in Québec) are eligible to participate. Schools that are publicly funded but outside of the provincially-run school board/district/division system, such as Charter Schools in Alberta and Federally-funded schools in FNMI communities, are eligible to apply if they meet the grade requirements. A full-time teacher, as defined above, is eligible to enter the Contest as part of a team with at least one (1) student or more up to a maximum of fifty (50) students (the “Participant”). The Contest is divided into two phases. Phase One requires teams to submit a written entry through the registration link on samsung.com/ca/solve between Monday, November 27, 2023 12:01 a.m. EST and Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST (the “Contest Entry Period”). Five (5) Finalist teams will be selected on or about Friday, March 15, 2024 by a panel of six (6) qualified judges selected by Samsung based on the selection criteria stated in the full Contest Terms and Conditions. Odds of winning depend upon the total number of contest entries received during the Contest Entry Period. Each Finalist will receive a Samsung Voucher with a total value of up to $5,000 per team. During Phase Two, each Finalist team will be required to submit a video between Monday March 18, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. EST and Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST (the “Final Judging Period”). All eligible submissions received will be judged by a panel of six (6) qualified judges selected by Samsung based on the criteria stated in the full Contest Terms and Conditions, and three (3) Winners will be selected. Odds of winning depend upon the total number of videos received during Phase Two. The three (3) Winners shall receive winning prizes consisting of the following elements based on their final place: First Place – $50,000 cash prize (by way of a cheque), Second Place $10,000 cash prize (by way of a cheque), Third Place – $10,000 cash prize (by way of a cheque). The videos of all five (5) Finalists will exhibited on samsung.com/ca/solve, and members of the general public will be permitted to vote on their favourite Finalist Entry. Voting will be open from Monday, May 6, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. EST and will close on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The Finalist who receives the most qualifying votes will be awarded a cash prize of $5,000 (by way of a cheque). All prizes will be made payable to the Participant’s school for use by the winning teacher. Must correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question to win. For more information and a copy of the full Contest Terms and Conditions, visit samsung.com/ca/solve.