Solve for Tomorrow: Next Gen 2024 winners announced

The annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen programme spotlighting innovation reached 23,878 students across 369 schools, and the competition received 1,153 competition entries from 11 to 15 year olds coming up with tech-powered solutions to help solve everyday problems.

LONDON, UK – 12 August, 2024: Samsung Electronics Co. (UK) Ltd has revealed the winners of its fourth Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen Competition, on the theme of inclusivity.

Hundreds of secondary schools across the UK and Ireland signed up to receive free online resources including an interactive video lesson to help inspire the next generation of innovators.  Students aged 11-15 learned the basics of Design Thinking and received insight into creative STEM careers such as design and marketing.

Students were encouraged to enter their tech-for-good ideas into the competition, which was judged by a panel of Samsung employees.

In the 11-13 age category, Millie, from William Farr School was awarded first place with her innovation ‘My Bear’, which encourages children and young people to tackle hate by learning about other cultures. By linking the bear to an app, the user is rewarded with points.

Lorelei, Ruby, and Riya from Croydon High School, were awarded first place in the 13-15 category with their entry – a covert safety bangle designed for girls and women to support them whilst travelling alone. The bangle includes optional charms to allow the wearer to equip SOS signals, voice recording devices, a torch and more.

The runners-up in the 11-13 age category were Heinrich, Olly, and Charles from Somerhill School – awarded second place for their asthma focused smartwatch, designed to reduce the impact of asthma attacks through the use of medical statistics, and the ability to call medical services.

In the 13-15 age category, the runners-up were Natalia and Tammie from Thornhill College – awarded second place for their smart device app Speak4Me, which enables mute and non-verbal children to communicate using images they can upload.

Commenting on the competition, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “The entries to our Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen competition never fail to disappoint, and this year once again proved that the very best ideas can come from anyone, age is no barrier. Since its launch in 2021, the programme has become active in over 30% secondary schools across the UK and Ireland, and this year we were thrilled to receive a record number of competition entries, totalling 1,153. Each of those entries are a testament to the creativity of young people when they’re given the right resources and support. We’ll continue to find new ways to support the next generation of innovators, whilst celebrating this year’s winners.”

Mr. Wright, Teacher at William Farr School, said: “I would definitely recommend the programme to other teachers. Today, in design and technology, being able to access something that allows students to develop something that could potentially become real, and then have the interaction, feedback and potential reward, has all the tick-points that make it a brilliant programme to enter.  We will definitely be taking part next year and extend it to the 13-15 year old category.”

Millie, winner in the 11-13 category, said: “My favourite part was thinking about the product and how I could make it better.  Although it was the hardest part it was all worth it in the end. My biggest lesson is that I can do things to help other people – I wouldn’t have thought I could win! I would definitely recommend the programme to my friends, my advice would be to work on something that is personal to them.”

Each participant on the winning teams will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 and a VIP invitation to attend a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow event. The teacher responsible for submitting the winning entry will also receive a Samsung Galaxy Book3, and the winner’s school and school with the most entries will get a Samsung 65″ Smart TV. Each participant in the runner-up teams will receive a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds2, while the teacher responsible for submitting their entry will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9.

Although the 2024 competition has now concluded, resources for schools can still be accessed. For more information on Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen programme, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow/next-gen/