Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Funder: Samsung Electronics America, Inc. in partnership with NAAEE

Award Amount: $2 million (estimated retail value) in technology and classroom supplies redeemable through DonorsChoose.org

Geographic Scope: United States (all 50 states and District of Columbia)

Eligible Participants: Public school teachers, grades 6-12

Focus Areas:

STEM education (science, technology, engineering, math) applied to local problem-solving

Sustainable problem-based learning

Addressing critical issues including:

- Environmental sustainability
- Mental health
- Social justice
- Community challenges

Environmental Sustainability Winner: Emphasizes responsibly sourced materials, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) alignment, and project sustainability over time

Award Structure:

100 State Winners: $6,500 in Samsung technology and supplies + video kit

Environmental Sustainability Winner (1 school from all entries): Additional $10,000 prize package of environmental classroom technology

10 National Finalist Schools: Selected to pitch projects

- 7 schools receive $50,000 in technology and supplies
- 3 schools named National Grand Prize Winners

National Grand Prize Winners (3 schools): $100,000 in classroom technology and supplies

Community Choice Winner (public voting): Additional $10,000 in Samsung technology

Employee Choice Winner (Samsung employee votes): Additional $10,000 in Samsung technology

Requirements:

6-12 grade classrooms

Use STEM education to tackle local issues in sustainable way

Submit activity/lesson plans

Outline local challenge and how students will use STEM to create solutions

For first time (as of 2021): Encouraged to use responsibly sourced materials and align with UN SDGs

Contact Information:

Website: samsung.com/solve

For questions: SamsungSFT@allisonpr.com

Historical Context:

12th annual competition (as of 2021)

Past 10 years: Samsung awarded $120 million to more than 2,500 public schools

New NAAEE partnership began 2021

First Environmental Sustainability Winner award introduced 2021

Application Process

1. Submit Lesson Plan: Teachers outline:
- Their local challenge
- How students will use STEM to create solutions
- Project sustainability plan
- Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (encouraged)
- Use of responsibly sourced materials (encouraged)

2. Contest Phases:
- Phase 1: State Winners selected (100 schools)
- Receive $6,500 in technology/supplies and video kit
- Phase 2: Environmental Sustainability Winner judged by NAAEE board
- 1 winner receives additional $10,000
- Phase 3: National Finalist selection (10 schools)
- Must pitch project to judges
- Phase 4: Final judging and public voting
- Community Choice Winner (public vote)
- Employee Choice Winner (Samsung employee vote)
- 3 National Grand Prize Winners selected

3. Where to Apply: samsung.com/solve

4. Eligibility Requirements:
- Public school teachers
- Grades 6-12 classrooms
- All 50 states and District of Columbia
- No purchase necessary
- Applicants must be 21+ years old
- School employees eligible

5. Judging Rubric Includes:
- Problem-based learning approach
- STEM solution quality
- Project sustainability over time
- Environmental and social impact
- Responsible material sourcing (newer criterion)