Samsung Kicks Off the 7th Annual Solve for Tomorrow Competition

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – October 7, 2016 – Today, Samsung announced the launch of its annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest (#SamsungSolve), which will shift from STEM to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

Now in its seventh year, Solve for Tomorrow is designed to raise enthusiasm for STEAM subjects and inspire creative problem solving among the leaders of tomorrow. The $2 million* contest awards schools in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia, inviting the top National Finalists to New York City to present their creative projects and solutions to a panel of judges. Teachers can enter the contest online by submitting a project idea that encourages their students to use STEAM skills to solve an issue in their community.

“When collaboration and creativity intersects with science and technology, we have discovered that students are able to have a far greater impact on their local communities through Solve for Tomorrow projects,” said Ann Woo, senior director of corporate citizenship, Samsung Electronics America. “This year, the program will expand to more schools, enabling students to develop truly innovative ideas that have the potential to change the world as we know it.”

Shaneel Narayan and Jashene Tongco of Mission Valley ROP/James Logan High School of Fremont, CA, present solar powered charging station for electric vehicles at the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Finalist Pitch Event on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in New York.

By increasing the emphasis on STEAM, Solve for Tomorrow is helping schools recognize the strong connection across academic subjects, while addressing the growing chasm between education and career opportunities. According to a recent survey, 82 percent of hiring managers seek candidates who think creatively, but 70 percent say that students are unprepared and lack the necessary skills for success.** Through programs such as Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung is equipping students with the tools they need to bring meaningful change that will improve their local communities while enhancing the critical thinking skills they need for future careers.

Community-based learning is the core of Solve for Tomorrow and this year it will further empower students and their communities to collectively create positive change. Starting with seed funding from Samsung, schools will be able to crowdsource for additional resources to enhance their community solutions. In addition, students will be able to effect even greater change in their local communities by advocating for a local charity of choice and winning a donation on its behalf.

Since 2004, Samsung has provided more than $19 million in technology to more than 1,000 public schools in the United States through its many citizenship initiatives. To enter your school, and for contest rules, please visit www.samsung.com/solve. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, November 15, 2016.

*$2 million prize is based on an estimated retail value.

**Seeking Creative Candidates: Hiring for the Future

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA) is a recognized innovative leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices and enterprise solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., SEA is pushing beyond the limits of today’s technology and providing consumers and organizations with a portfolio of groundbreaking products in appliances, home entertainment, Internet of Things, mobile computing, smartphones, virtual reality, wireless infrastructure and wearables, in addition to offering leading content and services related to mobile payments, 360-degree VR video, customer support and more. Samsung is a pioneering leader in smartphones and HDTVs in the U.S. and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more about Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com. For the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow us @SamsungNewsUS.