Honor Roll: Winners of the 2013 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest

April 17 marked the third annual finale event of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest, a nationwide $1M competition designed to raise enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education among U.S. public middle and high school students. Five grand prizes were awarded to Franklin High School, Los Angeles CA, Leewood K-8 Center, Miami FL, Forestview Middle School, Baxter MN, Arrowhead Park Early College, Las Cruces NM, and MS 88/Peter Rouget Middle School, Brooklyn NY.
Each of the winners received technology products such as smart boards, LED TVs, and laptops, with an estimated value of $110,000,from Samsung and its corporate partners, Adobe Foundation and DIRECTV.

More than 1,600 schools across the country participated in the contest this year, with projects tackling such issues as water pollution, climate change, and sustainability.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Awards Day on Capitol Hill, April 17, 2013, in Washington D.C.

Winners of the Solve for Tomorrow contest. Rafiq Rahimi, Samsung (Right) David Steel, EVP of Samsung Electronics North America, (2nd from Right) Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America (3rd from Right) YK Kim, CEO of Samsung Electronics America (4th from Right)

Samsung Hosts Event in Nation’s Capitol

On the day of the event, a luncheon was held for the five winning schools while they received their commemorative honors. Of the five schools that won, MS 88/Peter Rouget Middle School of Brooklyn, NY was not able to attend due to standardized testing, but made a virtual appearance via webcam to receive their honor and join the ceremony.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Awards Day on Capitol Hill, April 17, 2013, in Washington D.C.  Students from Arrowhead Park Early College, Las Cruces, NM, meeting with Congressman Stevan Pearce (R-NM)
Madison Amador of Leewood K-8 Center reads aloud from the Congressional Record presented to the Leewood students for winning Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow challenge in the Rayburn Room of the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, April, 2013.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Awards Day on Capitol Hill, April 17, 2013, in Washington D.C.  Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America (right), Xavier Becerra, Member of Congress (D-CA) (2nd to right), YK Kim, CEO of Samsung Electronics America (3rd to right), and Students from Franklin High School, Los Angeles, CA

Samsung Demonstrates Opportunity with Young Keynote Speaker

Boone’s inspirational story began with his family losing their home to gang activity in inner-city Cleveland.  Despite many obstacles, he graduated with honors from MC2STEM High School (as class salutatorian), was a Minds Matter participant and was the recipient of a Gates Millennium Scholarship.

Boone personified the potential of every school to achieve greatness with a clear focus on his goals.

The Effect of New Samsung Technology

The focus of the day was not on numbers and statistics, but about making a difference and investing in the future of learning.

Ultimately, the end goal is to strengthen the nation’s future through children’s knowledge, improved educational resources, and opportunity.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Awards Day on Capitol Hill, April 17, 2013, in Washington D.C.  David Steel, EVP of Samsung Electronics North America (right), Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America (2nd to right), YK Kim, CEO of Samsung Electronics America (3rd to Right), Xavier Becerra, Member of Congress (D-CA) (left), and Students from Franklin High School, Los Angeles, CA

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Awards Day on Capitol Hill, April 17, 2013, in Washington D.C.  Forestview Middle School, Baxter, MN, with David Steel, EVP of Samsung Electronics North America.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Awards Day on Capitol Hill, April 17, 2013, in Washington D.C.  Students from Arrowhead Park Early College, Las Cruces, NM, with David Steel, EVP of Samsung Electronics America

To find out more about the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Awards Day on Capitol Hill, check out the video.