Samsung Awards $20,000 in Technology to 51 Public Schools Across the U.S. to Support STEM Learning Through Projects that Address Community Issues
From eliminating pedestrian fatalities through a smart watch app to designing a mobile shelter and heat source for a traditionally nomadic community, Samsung’s $2 million technology grant competition unleashes student creativity and their passion to help
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., December 9, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Samsung Electronics America (SEA) today announced the 51 state winners of the 6th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest (#SamsungSolve), the company’s $2 million* flagship program that supports its nationwide initiative to boost enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education among students in grades K-12 in partnership with BrainPOP, Adobe and the National Environmental Education Foundation.
Each of the 51 schools, chosen from more than 4,100 entries, receive $20,000* in Samsung technology – including a Samsung GALAXY Camera™, ATIV Book 9 laptop and Adobe Elements software – to create a 2-minute video about their project that addresses the contest challenge: Show how STEM can help improve your community.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this year’s state winners,” said Ann Woo, who directs Corporate Citizenship for Samsung Electronics America. “The breadth of project topics ranging from eliminating pedestrian fatalities in urban areas to designing a mobile shelter to keep the traditions of a community with a nomadic heritage alive and everything in between – all through the application of science and technology truly speak to Samsung’s roots in creating innovations that matter, the kind that improve people’s lives in tangible ways. We look forward to helping these students and teachers build greater STEM competency both in and out of their classrooms to empower them further.”
Those with the best videos advance to the next phase of the contest to become the 15 national finalists and win $40,000* for their school. As a national finalist, each school presents their projects to a live panel of judges and invited guests in March. How they perform is factored into the selection criteria for the five national winners who receive $120,000* for their school. Three of the five national winners are selected by a panel of judges, one by Samsung employees and one by online voters.
“It’s a learning opportunity that encourages customized teaching, students to excel in their areas of interest, and present and defend their work to experts and media,” said Tom Larsen, who led his class of Galena High School STEM Academy freshman in Reno, Nevada, to become a national winner last year. “I couldn’t have imagined the impact this would have on me personally, my students, our program, school and community. This was a school year none of us will ever forget.”
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest launched in 2010 to engage students in active, hands-on STEM learning as a response to trailing STEM skills among U.S. students. Since 2004, Samsung has invested more than $17 million* in technology to more than 1,200 public schools across the United States.
This year’s 51 state winners of the Solve for Tomorrow Contest are:
SCHOOL NAME |
City |
STATE |
Akiuk Memorial School |
Kasigluk |
AK |
Lawrence County High School |
Moulton |
AL |
eSTEM Public Charter Schools |
Little Rock |
AR |
Trevor G. Browne |
Phoenix |
AZ |
Mission Valley ROP/ James Logan High School |
Fremont |
CA |
Horizon Middle School |
Aurora |
CO |
Engineering and Science University Magnet School |
Hamden |
CT |
Eastern Senior High School |
Washington |
DC |
Caesar Rodney High School |
Camden |
DE |
Northeast High School |
Oakland Park |
FL |
Tucker Middle School |
Tucker |
GA |
James Campbell High School |
Ewa Beach |
HI |
Maquoketa |
Maquoketa |
IA |
Lakeside Jr/Sr High School |
Plummer |
ID |
Monticello Middle School |
Monticello |
IL |
Northwest High School |
Indianapolis |
IN |
Jackson Heights High School |
Holton |
KS |
Murray High School |
Murray |
KY |
West Feliciana High School |
St. Francisville |
LA |
Dr. Paul Nettle Middle School |
Haverhill |
MA |
Worcester Technical High School |
Newark |
MD |
Maine School of Science and Mathematics |
Limestone |
ME |
University Prep Science and Math High School |
Detroit |
MI |
Anoka Middle School for the Arts |
Anoka |
MN |
Ridgewood Middle School |
Arnold |
MO |
South Jones Elementary |
Ellisville |
MS |
Lewistown Junior High School |
Lewistown |
MT |
East Duplin High School |
Beulaville |
NC |
Minto School District 20 |
Minto |
ND |
Omaha Northwest Magnet High School |
Omaha |
NE |
Winnisquam Regional High school |
Tilton |
NH |
Dr. Michael Conti School (PS 5) |
Jersey City |
NJ |
Mescalero Apache School |
Mescalero |
NM |
Anthony Saville Middle School |
Las Vegas |
NV |
Brooklyn Technical High School |
Brooklyn |
NY |
Coventry High School |
Akron |
OH |
Wewoka Middle School |
Wewoka |
OK |
Gateways High School |
Springfield |
OR |
Burrell High School |
Lower Burrell |
PA |
East Greenwich High School |
East Greenwich |
RI |
W.J. Keenan High School |
Columbia |
SC |
Newell High School |
Newell |
SD |
West End Middle School |
Nashville |
TN |
Graham High School |
Graham |
TX |
Willowcreek Middle School |
Lehi |
UT |
Loudoun Valley High School |
Purcellville |
VA |
Lake Region Union High School |
Orleans |
VT |
Waterville High School |
Waterville |
WA |
Lincoln Middle School |
Kenosha |
WI |
Andrew Jackson Middle School |
Cross Lanes |
WV |
Wheatland Middle School |
Wheatland |
WY |
For more information about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, please visit samsung.com/solve.
For more information about Samsung’s Corporate Citizenship efforts, please visit samsung.com/citizenship.
*Estimated Retail Value
About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, mobile products and wearables, wireless infrastructure, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brand. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
CONTACT:
Danielle Meister Cohen
Samsung Electronics America
201-373-7554
Lindsay Hyman
Allison+Partners
202-591-1127