Samsung and U.S. Government Officials Celebrate Students, Winners of National STEM Competition

A solar-powered charging station for electric cars, a smartwatch app for pedestrian safety and prosthetic devices for veterans were among the winning projects of this year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. Students from the public schools named National Winners earlier this month were honored at an annual awards luncheon attended by congressional leaders.

The contest challenges students in grades 6 through 12 nationwide to use their STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills to innovate a solution to a problem affecting in their community. This year, the Grand Prize Winners were selected from a pool of more than 4,100 school groups that submitted ideas last October for how they would apply STEM to making a difference.

The National Winners of the 2016 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest pose with His Excellency Ahn Ho-Young, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the U.S. (center); Chairman Michael T. McCaul (R-TX) (center left); Won-Kyong Kim, Executive Vice President of U.S. Public Affairs at Samsung Electronics America (back right); and Ann Woo, Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics American (far right). Credit: Margarita Corporan.

The awards luncheon was held at Top of the Hill Banquet & Conference Center at the Reserve Officers Association in Washington, D.C. Welcome remarks were provided by the Korean ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Ahn Ho-Young. He said: “Programs like Solve for Tomorrow are a great way to highlight the important role STEM skills play in solving the challenges our communities face. The talent, creativity and compassion for their neighbors that this year’s winners have shown makes me more confident than ever in our shared future together.”

In addition to honoring the students, Samsung recognized Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Chairman Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) for their commitment to STEM education in K-12 schools nationwide, naming them Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Champions.

“As someone who grew up in poverty, I know full well the power of education,” said Scott. “That’s why I fully support the STEM education motto, because I’ve seen firsthand the amazing things that can come from these programs.”

McCaul and Polis received their awards in person.

“I am honored to receive this distinction from Samsung, but the true recognition goes to the students and teachers committed to STEM education and breakthroughs,” said McCaul. “With great programs like ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ and its participants, I am more confident than ever that America’s scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematics future are bright.”

Keynote speaker Mick Ebeling, CEO of Not Impossible Labs, spoke about his company’s mission “Technology for the Sake of Humanity,” to provide tech-based solutions to help people with disabilities and illnesses around the world live fuller lives. Not Impossible Labs engineers and makers have used STEM to create affordable and unique healthcare tools, such as the acclaimed Eyewriter, which helped a paraplegic street artist to draw again after seven years. “Commit, then figure it out” was Ebeling’s advice for the invention process, adding, “If you fail, it’s okay – that means you’re one step closer to finding the solution.”

While in Washington, D.C., the winners also had the opportunity to meet with their respective congressional representatives and present their projects.

“We are so happy to give the students this opportunity to show their congressional representatives what they have been working on,” said Ann Woo, senior director of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America. “Their projects, while addressing local issues, could have an impact on communities across the country. We are also humbled to be among members of Congress as well as industry leaders who are also working to make a difference through STEM.”

The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest was created in 2010 to bridge the gap in STEM education in public schools across the United States. Since its inception, the contest has awarded more than $17 million* in technology and prizes to more than 1,000 schools. To learn more about the competition, please visit: http://www.samsung.com/solve.

B-roll and images from the luncheon and trip will be made available at http://news.samsung.com/us/press-kits/2016-solve-for-tomorrow-event/.

To watch videos from the event, please visit the US Newsroom.

* Estimated Retail Value