Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is an annual competition that tackles the tech-education gap by equipping grades 6-12 classrooms with the technology, training, and mentorship needed to apply STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) skills to real-world issues in their communities. Now in its 16th year, the program continues to evolve with a growing emphasis on hands-on learning and emerging technologies like AI. Since its inception, Solve for Tomorrow has become a global movement, engaging more than 2.9 million students across 68 countries. In the U.S. alone, Samsung has awarded over $31 million in technology and classroom resources to over 4,000 public schools, helping equip the next generation with skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
10 Finalists. One Stage. Limitless Possibilities.
Representing the next generation of changemakers, these 10 standout teams tackled critical issues including public safety, accessibility, sustainability, and environmental justice. Leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D modeling and printing, machine learning, and robotics, students transformed bold ideas into tangible, community-driven solutions.
Their innovations took center stage at the live Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Pitch Event on April 14 at The Washington Post headquarters, where they presented to a panel of distinguished judges: Nicol Turner Lee of the Brookings Institution, Allison Gamble of Upworthy, Esther Kim of Samsung Electronics America, Vineet Khosla of The Washington Post, and Katie Bisbee of DonorsChoose—a long-time partner committed to expanding access to classroom resources.
Reflecting on the students’ impact and hard work, Allison Stransky, Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Electronics America, said: “What stands out most about these students is not just their creativity, but their purpose. They’re using STEM and tools like AI to take on challenges that directly impact their communities, which is exactly the kind of real-world application that matters. At a time when many educators are still navigating how to bring AI into the classroom, Solve for Tomorrow helps bridge that gap by giving both students and teachers the tools, training and confidence to use technology in ways that drive meaningful change. These finalists show us that when innovation is paired with empathy, the possibilities are endless.”
Three Winners. One Shared Purpose: Building a Better Future Through STEM
The live Samsung Solve for Tomorrow National Winners Award Ceremony kicked off with a fireside chat featuring video journalist and STEM advocate Cleo Abram and DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier, moderated by Sara Goo of The Washington Post. The conversation explored the evolving role of technologies like AI in education and the workforce, and challenged students to think boldly about how they can shape the future through innovation and responsible use of those emerging tools.
The ceremony culminated in the announcement of the three National Winners, each awarded $100,000 in Samsung technology and classroom resources:
| SCHOOL | CITY/STATE | COMMUNITY ISSUE, STEM SOLUTION & VIDEO |
| Doral Academy of Northern Nevada | Reno, NV | Public Safety – Wildfire Detection: As wildfire risk intensifies in Reno, students developed Guardian Grid, an AI-powered system that analyzes traffic camera footage to detect smoke in real time. Thermal cameras and drones verify threats and map fire boundaries for first responders, while automated alerts and traffic adjustments support faster, safer evacuations. https://youtu.be/cEpN_rLslaA |
| Huff Consolidated Elementary & Middle School | Hanover, WV | Environmental Justice – Water Purification: Facing severe water contamination from acid mine drainage and agricultural runoff, students designed a low-cost, multi-stage purification system with real-time IoT monitoring to serve coal-impacted communities. Combining filtration, UV disinfection, and sensor-driven data tracking, the system provides verified clean water while creating a scalable model for environmental justice.https://youtu.be/VDWIQdNCWlM |
| James Lick High School | San Jose, CA | Public Health – Early Disease Detection: To detect disease before symptoms appear, the team created a Quantum Bioenergetics Diagnostic Engine that applies quantum physics simulations to gene expression data to measure early mitochondrial dysfunction. Using Python-based modeling and machine learning, the platform generates novel biomarkers—including a “Quantum Life Score”—to support earlier, more accessible preventive care. https://youtu.be/LdHNmwzyrCI |
In addition to the National Winners, several special honors were presented by leaders across the Solve for Tomorrow community. Vineet Khosla of The Washington Post presented the Community Choice Award, while Steven Cho of Samsung Electronics America announced the Employee Choice Award. Each honor included additional prize packages on top of the $50,000 awarded to all National Finalists.
| SCHOOL | CITY/STATE | COMMUNITY ISSUE, STEM SOLUTION & VIDEO |
| Community Choice Winner: The public voted for one Community Choice Winner from the 10 National Finalists, awarding the school an added $10,000 prize package. |
| Huff Consolidated Elementary & Middle School | Hanover, WV | Environmental Justice – Water Purification: Facing severe water contamination from acid mine drainage and agricultural runoff, students designed a low-cost, multi-stage purification system with real-time IoT monitoring to serve coal-impacted communities. Combining filtration, UV disinfection, and sensor-driven data tracking, the system provides verified clean water while creating a scalable model for environmental justice. https://youtu.be/VDWIQdNCWlM |
| Employee Choice Winner: Samsung employees selected one Employee Choice Winner from the 10 National Finalists, awarding the winning school an additional $10,000 in prizes. |
| Moss Point Career & Technical Education Center | Moss Point, MS | Sustainability – Aquaculture Protection: To protect fish populations along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, students created FishGuard AI, an early warning system that monitors water quality and fish behavior to detect stress before die-offs occur. Using IoT sensors and machine learning, the system analyzes environmental data in real time to strengthen food security and coastal resilience. https://youtu.be/bQCI9pR5SQ4 |
To further support classroom innovation, all 10 finalist teams will receive a Samsung WAFX-P Interactive Display as part of their prize package, featuring built-in collaboration tools and the Samsung AI Assistant to help power the classroom of the future, along with hands-on training from Samsung’s Education Solutions team—helping educators and students integrate AI and interactive technologies into everyday learning.
As AI continues to transform how students learn and create, programs like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow play a critical role in preparing the next generation. While many educators recognize the potential of AI to drive social good, they are also navigating how best to integrate it into the classroom. By providing access, mentorship and real-world application, Samsung is helping ensure students are not just consumers of technology, but confident creators of it as well.
To learn more about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, visit www.samsung.com/solve and follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Applications for the 2026-2027 competition will open this August.
