Samsung Hosts Design Thinking Workshops for Solve For Tomorrow 2024 Competition Finalists

Samsung is hosting Design Thinking Workshops to help the 20 finalist schools in the Solve For Tomorrow 2024 Competition prepare for the crucial next prototype development phase.

Scheduled from April 8 to May 14, 2024, the Design Thinking Workshops are being conducted at central venues in the provinces where the finalist schools are based – Gauteng (8 finalists), Limpopo (3), Free State (4), KwaZulu-Natal (3), Eastern Cape (1), and Mpumalanga (1). The workshops aim to equip the learners with essential skills and insights necessary to transform their innovative ideas into tangible solutions as they address critical issues within their communities.

The workshops are designed to foster a mindset of innovation and problem-solving, by encouraging participants to think, speak, and act like designers. Through interactive sessions, learners will learn the cognitive and structured process of human-centred design, thus enhancing their abilities in creative and critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

The Solve For Tomorrow competition is Samsung’s contribution to youth empowerment and skills development, and to help the country play a meaningful role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). It was also designed to increase interest and proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), while giving participating grade 10 and 11 learners from underserved communities an opportunity to gain invaluable skills as they solve some of their communities’ challenges.

The theme for this year’s competition, ‘Our Environment’, speaks to Samsung’s overall approach to business and commitment to prioritising environmental sustainability. Crucially, it also aligns with most of the projects that the learners will be undertaking in the competition, varying from recycling, and water purification, to devising ways to conserve limited resources such as electricity and water.

Key activities of the Design Thinking process, include preparing for interviews, identifying a point of view, brainstorming, and creating paper prototypes. Participants engage in hands-on activities to gain first-hand experience and develop the necessary skills to drive their creative solutions forward.

“We are thrilled to continue uplifting the country’s youth through the Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Competition. This initiative represents our commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers and these Design Thinking Workshops are a big part of that process. By empowering learners with practical skills and tools, we aim to bring positive change within their lives and communities,” said Lenhle Khoza, Manager for BBBEE and Transformation at Samsung South Africa.

The Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Competition officially launched in South Africa last year, garnering significant interest and participation from schools nationwide. Following the Design Thinking Workshops, the learners will, under the guidance of their teachers and mentors, embark on the next phase of research and prototype development in preparation for the competition’s finale. At the final stage, scheduled for October this year, the teams will present their prototypes to a panel of esteemed judges.

Samsung remains dedicated to supporting educational initiatives that drive innovation and address societal challenges. Through initiatives like the Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Competition and other similar programmes, the company continues to empower young minds and inspire positive change across South Africa.