Samsung Invites Canadian Classrooms to Solve for a Sustainable Tomorrow

The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest is now accepting submissions from bright young minds in grades 6 to 12 to build towards a sustainable future

Samsung Canada today announced the launch of the 2023/24 Solve for Tomorrow Contest, an annual competition that invites youth from across Canada to develop innovative solutions that will make a meaningful impact on their communities.

60 per cent of Canadian youth are concerned about the impacts of climate change – but 53 per cent are optimistic that new technologies will allow us to limit its effects.[1] Recognizing the crucial need and desire among youth to spark change, and in line with its commitment to building A Smarter Future with Samsung, Samsung has proudly revamped this year’s Solve for Tomorrow contest to focus on sustainability challenges, awarding over $100,000 in prizing to Canadian schools. In partnership with dedicated sustainability organization, Earth Rangers, Samsung will provide the foundation for youth to develop their ideas and strive to make them a reality through mentorship, resources, and financial support.

This year, Samsung is inviting Canadian teachers and their classrooms from grades 6 to 12 to take part in the contest.[2] The top five finalist teams, chosen by a panel of judges, will receive dedicated mentorship to help refine their submissions, and will compete for the grand prize of $50,000 – plus receiving the honour of being named “The School for Tomorrow.” The second and third place finalist teams will each receive $10,000, and all five finalists will receive the opportunity to get a $5,000 voucher towards Samsung technology for their schools. In addition, as a new element this year, Samsung will invite Canadians to select their favourite submission through the new “People’s Choice Award” with the most popular team winning an additional $5,000.

“This year’s Solve for Tomorrow Contest brings together our commitment to building towards a sustainable future while amplifying the innovative ideas of Canadian youth,” said Jihoon Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Canada. “We are excited to see the thoughtful, inspiring solutions from Canada’s classrooms come to life this year to help build towards a brighter tomorrow.”

“The Solve for Tomorrow Contest is a fantastic opportunity for students to use their passion and creativity towards envisioning real solutions to help fight climate change.  Earth Rangers’ research consistently shows that the key to combating climate anxiety in young people is through positive action and this project encourages that in a compelling way.” said Tovah Barocas, President, Earth Rangers.

For over a decade, Samsung has celebrated youth innovation through the Solve for Tomorrow Contest. Last year’s winners, Team Triage Kiosk, developed an innovative STEM-based solution to solve long queues in emergency departments. Previous winners also include Project Enviroot, a sustainable, non-toxic alternative to softboard material made from discarded orange peel waste, and Project HeartStarter, a drone-powered automated external defibrillator (AED) delivery service for patients experiencing cardiac arrest.

From now until January 31^st, 2024, Canadian classrooms can submit their applications at samsung.com/ca/solve.

[1] https://leger360.com/surveys/2023-youth-study-report-millennials-and-gen-zs-employment-finances-and-future/

[2] Terms and Conditions apply. The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest begins on Thursday November 23, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. EST and ends on May 31, 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 Thursday, November 23, 2023 12:01 a.m. EST and Wednesday, January 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST (the “Contest Entry Period”). Five (5) Finalist teams will be selected on or about Wednesday, February 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 Friday, February 16, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. EST and Friday, March 31, 2023 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, April 8, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. EST and will close on Monday, April 22, 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.