{"id":69475,"date":"2024-03-26T10:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/?p=69475"},"modified":"2024-09-16T09:48:16","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T13:48:16","slug":"ten-schools-named-national-finalists-in-samsung-solve-for-tomorrow-stem-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/ten-schools-named-national-finalists-samsung-solve-for-tomorrow-stem-competition-2023-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten Schools Named National Finalists in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"samsung-sft-community-voting-banner\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Samsung Electronics America <\/strong><\/a>today named the 10 National Finalist<\/strong> schools advancing in the 14th<\/sup> annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow<\/strong><\/a> competition. Each National Finalist, selected from among this year\u2019s 50 State Winners<\/a>, will receive a prize package of $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies.<\/p>\n

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow<\/a> challenges public school students in grades 6-12 to create positive change in their communities by using science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to solve pressing local issues. The Finalist teams, composed of Gen Z innovators, will now move forward to present their STEM projects addressing such issues as urban waste management, inclusive board games for special needs children, and health threats from water contaminants at a live pitch event on April 29, 2024 to a panel of judges at the Samsung Solutions Center in Washington, D.C. On April 30, 2024, three schools will then be chosen as National Winners<\/strong>, each receiving $100,000 in prizes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSamsung Solve for Tomorrow<\/a> opens students\u2019 eyes to real and relatable local issues, challenging them to use STEM in innovative ways to address those problems and catalyze positive change,\u201d said Ann Woo<\/strong><\/a>, Head of Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics America. \u201cThis year has been incredibly inspiring to see our National Finalists, and frankly all participating schools that entered, apply empathy, problem-solving skills, and cutting-edge tech like artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and robotics to address concerns like accessibility for mobility-impaired individuals, youth suicide prevention, and the preservation of endangered Indigenous languages.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Harvest<\/a>

Harvest Preparatory Academy, AZ<\/p><\/div>\n

Community Choice voting starts NOW<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The 50 Solve for Tomorrow State Winners highlighted their projects and proposed STEM solutions through three-minute videos. From these submissions, the National Finalists were chosen. Now until April 23, 2024, the public can vote online<\/a> for the Community Choice Winner<\/strong> from the 10 National Finalists. The chosen project will receive an additional $10,000 prize package. To participate, watch each finalist’s video and submit your choice<\/a>. You can vote once per day. Voting is open daily until 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 23, 2024.<\/p>\n

Introducing the 10 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow National Finalists<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u201cIt’s remarkable to watch Solve for Tomorrow<\/a> students thrive as they discover their identities and find ways to contribute positively to their communities. Witnessing how they channel their passion into impactful projects is an amazing experience we\u2019re privileged to be part of,\u201d Woo added. \u201cThese Gen Zers tell us that participating in the competition has empowered them to understand STEM\u2019s potential, find their voice, connect with like-minded peers nationwide, and set themselves on the path to rewarding future careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Stillwater<\/a>

Stillwater Middle School, MN<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
School<\/th>City\/State<\/th>Community Issue, STEM Solution Video<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hoover High School<\/strong><\/td>Hoover, AL<\/td>ACCESSIBILITY:<\/strong> About 7.5 million Americans<\/a> have neurological disorders affecting hand motor skills. Using CAD, 3D printing, and other tech, students have developed an affordable alternative for door opening that fits various door types, enhancing accessibility and inclusion.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/o6yxct9hXuQ<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Harvest Preparatory Academy<\/strong><\/td>Yuma, AZ<\/td>FOOD SAFETY:<\/strong> Multiple E. coli outbreaks, including a significant 2019 incident traced to lettuce from Yuma, have affected many across America. Leveraging UVC light technology and 3D printing, students designed a salad bowl lid that sterilizes greens to prevent foodborne outbreaks.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/8btGHvEK6xc<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brandywine High School<\/strong><\/td>Wilmington, DE<\/td>ACCESSIBILITY:<\/strong> Over 7.3 million American children<\/a> are enrolled in special education (SPED) programs and many struggle to engage meaningfully with peers. Brandywine created electronic board games aimed at assisting SPED students in forming enduring connections with their peers.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/gXUcTDaReQo<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wilton Community Schools<\/strong><\/td>Wilton, IA<\/td>AGRICULTURE SAFETY:<\/strong> The average American farmer is 57.5 years old<\/a>. Climbing grain bins for level checks poses significant safety risks to farmers due to slippery ladders and fall hazards. Wilton students have devised a solution to climbing grain bins utilizing LED-colored light bars and pressure sensors that enhances safety, efficiency, and access for all producers.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/8zQ6cmDLjC0<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Minico Middle School<\/strong><\/td>Paul, ID<\/td>MENTAL HEALTH:<\/strong> Suicide is a serious public health crisis. Idaho has the 12th highest suicide rate<\/a> among the states in our nation. Alarmingly, 22% of Idaho youth<\/a> have considered suicide. West Minico students plan to tackle this crisis through \"Hope Notes,\" a 3D-printed dispenser to be placed in all schools, offering uplifting messages to those struggling.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/mhVgnX2hxMU<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Green Street Academy High School<\/strong><\/td>Baltimore, MD<\/td>URBAN WASTE:<\/strong> Trash poses a significant problem for cities across the U.S., including Baltimore. Students are tackling the trash problem by repurposing Sargassum seaweed to reduce reliance on paper and plastic by creating eco-friendly alternatives. By utilizing waste to prevent environmental hazards, their project not only combats deforestation but also improves air quality.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/suTIB4OpSow<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stillwater Middle School<\/strong><\/td>Stillwater, MN<\/td>LIGHT POLLUTION:<\/strong> Light pollution threatens the migration of over 250 bird species along the St. Croix River. Stillwater students created outdoor bird-friendly lights shaped like flowers. These lights are downward-facing, and the petals incorporate robotics to open and close based on the time of day. They used bulbs that utilize bioluminescence, producing less light than LED bulbs while still ensuring pedestrian safety.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/DDP8gXWVoGs <\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Princeton High School<\/strong><\/td>Princeton, NJ<\/td>ENDANGERED INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES:<\/strong> 50% of the 6000 languages spoken worldwide<\/a> are currently at risk of extinction. To safeguard endangered Indigenous languages, students developed Che'w, an AI-powered robotic stuffed animal, which speaks Mam \u2013 a Mayan language spoken by a small population of PHS students \u2013 and other Indigenous languages. This novel approach to language education, leverages tech to bridge linguistic gaps and empower Indigenous communities.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/8WcMF7hgNyU<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pineville Middle School<\/strong><\/td>Pineville, WV<\/td>PUBLIC HEALTH:<\/strong> West Virginia ranks first in the nation<\/a> for its prevalence of poor physical health, plagued by obesity, heart problems, and cancer. When tests revealed unsafe levels of haloacetic acid and trihalomethanes in their drinking water, Pineville students took a STEM-based approach to create inexpensive, locally sourced water filters. Utilizing recycled bottles, 3D printed fittings, and charcoal granules, the low-cost biomass-based carbon filters ensure safe drinking water for their community.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/zqV-IcrVgrg <\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CY Middle School<\/strong><\/td>Casper, WY<\/td>FOOD WASTE:<\/strong> Food waste isn't just a social or humanitarian concern\u2014it's an environmental one. Meanwhile, in Wyoming cold temperatures demand high heating fuel usage. CY Middle School students devised a way to dehydrate and compress food waste into fuel pellets, offering an alternative to fossil fuels while reducing landfill burden. Repurposing food waste into marketable fuel potentially creates a social entrepreneurship avenue to support community food banks.
\n
\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/b0Akv0iGzaQ <\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\n\t\t\"EPP\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n
Up next in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition:<\/strong><\/h5>\n