{"id":78646,"date":"2025-04-29T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T12:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/?p=78646"},"modified":"2025-04-29T11:45:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T15:45:32","slug":"samsung-awards-300k-to-national-winners-in-15th-annual-solve-for-tomorrow-stem-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/gen-z-alpha-innovators-take-center-stage-samsung-awards-300k-national-winners-15th-annual-solve-for-tomorrow-stem-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Samsung Awards $300K to National Winners in 15th Annual Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, Samsung Electronics America<\/strong><\/a> proudly names the winners of the 15th annual <\/strong>Samsung Solve for Tomorrow<\/strong><\/a> STEM competition\u2014a national education program that challenges public middle and high school students to turn science, technology, engineering, and math concepts into real-world solutions for challenges in their local communities. The three National Winners<\/strong>\u2014each awarded a $100,000 prize package for their schools\u2014were announced by Yoonie Joung<\/strong>, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America: Bentonville West High School<\/strong> from Centerton, AR; Bloomington High School South<\/strong> from Bloomington, IN; and Charter School of Wilmington<\/strong> from Wilmington, DE.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the achievement and the promise of student-driven STEM solutions, Yoonie Joung<\/strong><\/a> shared, \u201cThese students are a profound reminder of why Samsung Solve for Tomorrow exists\u2014to ignite innovation, inspire action, and ensure all young people have access to the tools they need to shape a better future. As they embrace emerging technologies like AI, Samsung is focused on helping close both the knowledge and resource gaps in STEM education\u2014ensuring educators are equipped and students are empowered to apply these tools in transformative ways. Fifteen years in, Solve for Tomorrow continues to demonstrate what\u2019s possible when we invest in youth, education, and bold thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the core of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a mission to advance STEM literacy, proficiency, and equity\u2014and this year marks a celebration of its 15-year legacy of student-driven innovation<\/strong>. To date, Samsung has provided more than $29 million in technology and classroom resources to nearly 4,300 public schools across the U.S. This year\u2019s three National Winners rose to the top from thousands of bold, imaginative entries\u2014emerging from a highly competitive journey that began with 300 State Finalists, narrowed to 50 State Winners, and culminated in 10 National Finalists<\/strong><\/a> who pitched their visions for a brighter tomorrow.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Pitch & Reveal Event on Monday, April 28th, 2025 in Washington. (Joy Asico-Smith\/AP Content Services for Samsing Solve for Tomorrow)<\/div><\/div>
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15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Pitch & Reveal Event on Monday, April 28th, 2025 in Washington. (Joy Asico-Smith\/AP Content Services for Samsing Solve for Tomorrow)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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10 National Finalists. 1 Unforgettable Pitch Event. Endless Impact.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Representing the next generation of changemakers, these 10 standout Gen Z and Gen Alpha student teams tackled issues like healthcare<\/strong> access, accessibility<\/strong> in sports, climate<\/strong>-driven heat disparities, and public safety<\/strong> on frozen lakes\u2014using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)<\/strong>, Internet of Things (IoT)<\/strong>, 3D modeling and printing<\/strong>, machine learning (ML)<\/strong>, and robotics <\/strong>to bring their ideas to life.<\/p>\n

Their innovations took center stage at a live Solve for Tomorrow Pitch Event<\/a> on April 28 at Samsung DC, where a panel of distinguished judges\u2014including Charlotte Dungan<\/strong> from the Mark Cuban Foundation<\/a>; YouTube creator<\/a> Enobong Etteh<\/strong>; Hope King<\/strong>, founder of Macro Talk News<\/a> and Axios<\/a> contributor; Rameen Rana<\/strong> from Samsung NEXT<\/a>; and Renzo Villavicencio<\/strong> from Samsung Electronics America\u2014evaluated each team\u2019s project. The event began with opening remarks from Alix Guerrier<\/strong>, CEO of DonorsChoose<\/a>, a long-time Solve for Tomorrow partner<\/a> dedicated to expanding access to classroom resources.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Pitch & Reveal Event on Monday, April 28th, 2025 in Washington. (Joy Asico-Smith\/AP Content Services for Samsing Solve for Tomorrow)<\/div><\/div>
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15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Pitch & Reveal Event on Monday, April 28th, 2025 in Washington. (Joy Asico-Smith\/AP Content Services for Samsing Solve for Tomorrow)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\u201cEvery year, I\u2019m inspired by the incredible ingenuity, empathy, and determination these students bring to solving real-world problems in their communities. At Samsung, we believe in the power of technology as a force for good for all\u2014and these young innovators are living proof of that. Watching them harness STEM to build a better future is not only hopeful\u2014it\u2019s a reminder of what\u2019s possible when we invest in the next generation of problem-solvers,\u201d said Allison Stransky<\/strong><\/a>, CMO of Samsung Electronics America.<\/p>\n

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15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Pitch & Reveal Event on Monday, April 28th, 2025 in Washington. (Joy Asico-Smith\/AP Content Services for Samsing Solve for Tomorrow)<\/p><\/div>\n

Three National Winners, One Mission: Using STEM to Build a Better Future<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The live Solve for Tomorrow National Winners Reveal Ceremony<\/a> kicked off with a powerful keynote from Gitanjali Rao<\/strong><\/a>, renowned young inventor and passionate STEM advocate, who reminded students that age is no barrier to impact. Her words set the tone for an evening rooted in innovation, possibility, and purpose.<\/p>\n

The celebration continued with a dynamic panel discussion, \u201cAI for Good: Empowering the Next Generation of Problem-Solvers,\u201d moderated by Samsung\u2019s Allison Stransky<\/strong>. The conversation brought together leading voices from technology, education, and philanthropy\u2014including Paul Kim<\/strong> of Samsung, Charlotte Dungan<\/strong> of the Mark Cuban Foundation, and Jordan Harrod<\/strong><\/a>, AI strategist and Harvard-MIT Ph.D. candidate\u2014to explore how AI can be harnessed to address real-world challenges while emphasizing the importance of access, ethics, and responsible innovation.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\n\t\t\"Solve\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n

Additionally, Ngan Le<\/strong>, a Solve for Tomorrow alum and Samsung Youth Ambassador at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, shared highlights from attending the Games with fellow Solve for Tomorrow students from around the world\u2014where she showcased her project to IOC leaders and helped kick off Samsung\u2019s global \u201cTogether for Tomorrow, Enabling People<\/a>\u201d initiative.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"15th
15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Pitch & Reveal Event on Monday, April 28th, 2025 in Washington. (Joy Asico-Smith\/AP Content Services for Samsing Solve for Tomorrow)<\/div><\/div>
\"15th
15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Pitch & Reveal Event on Monday, April 28th, 2025 in Washington. (Joy Asico-Smith\/AP Content Services for Samsing Solve for Tomorrow)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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The culminating awards ceremony honored the following three National Winners<\/strong> with $100,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies for their schools:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
SCHOOL<\/th>CITY\/STATE<\/th>COMMUNITY ISSUE, STEM SOLUTION & VIDEO<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Bentonville West High School<\/strong><\/td>Centerton, AR<\/td>Public Health \u2013 Cancer: Oral cancer<\/strong> causes 170,000 deaths annually, with early detection critical to saving lives. In Arkansas, limited access to affordable specialists and diagnostics makes detection especially challenging, particularly in rural and low-income areas. In 2024, 90% of residents didn\u2019t visit a dentist. To address this, students developed an AI-powered mobile cancer screening app<\/strong>, allowing users to take images of their mouths and self-screen for oral cancer\u2014offering an affordable, accessible early detection solution. https:\/\/youtu.be\/f0uTMiuasF8<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bloomington High School South<\/strong><\/td>Bloomington, IN<\/td>Accessibility \u2013 Sports:<\/strong> Nearly 20% of Americans experience hearing loss, and with 8 million high school athletes participating in sports, many are at risk of damaging their hearing aids during physical activities. Current solutions are bulky and non-compliant. Storm Shield<\/strong>, a lightweight, eco-friendly headband, protects hearing aids from wind, rain, and impact using hydrophobic mesh and a wireless motion sensor for safety. Combining material science, programming, IoT, machine learning, and 3D printing, this all-girl student-led project offers an affordable, sustainable, and innovative solution for athletes' hearing aid protection. https:\/\/youtu.be\/PlQEmMA2O9w<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Charter School of Wilmington<\/strong><\/td>Wilmington, DE<\/td>Public Health \u2013 Physician Shortage:<\/strong> Delaware's physician shortage has left several counties without adequate access to healthcare, causing primary care wait times to soar by nearly 200%. High school students developed the AKQUA-Gel hydrogel bandage<\/strong>\u2014a smart, AI-powered smart bandage with IoT sensors and 3D-printed components that monitors wound healing in real-time. Linked to a mobile app, it tracks biomarkers like moisture, pH, and oxygen, providing data to patients and doctors, advancing treatment, and reducing hospital congestion by enabling remote wound monitoring. https:\/\/youtu.be\/Vs-Ou3CnCZg<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the National Winners, four special honors were awarded and presented by leaders across the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow community: Tony Nobles<\/strong> of BUILD.org<\/a> presented the Rising Entrepreneurship Award; Anne Kelly<\/strong> of Ceres<\/a> awarded the Sustainability Innovation Award; Tim Chau<\/strong>, Co-founder and CEO of Impact Media<\/a>, presented the Community Choice Award; and Cordell Hull<\/strong>, Samsung Electronics America\u2019s Executive Vice President of U.S. Public Affairs announced the Employee Choice Award. Each of these honors came with additional prize packages on top of the $50,000 awarded to all National Finalists\u2014or $100,000 for each of the three National Winners. To build on that school support, all 10 teams also received a Samsung WAF Interactive Display<\/strong><\/a> and hands-on training from the Samsung Education Solutions<\/strong><\/a> team<\/strong> to help bring AI and interactive display technology into their classrooms.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\t\n\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
Rising Entrepreneurship Award: <\/strong>From the 50 State Winners<\/a>, one school was selected for the Rising Entrepreneurship Award, receiving a $25,000 prize to develop a sustainable venture extending beyond the competition.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bloomington High School South<\/strong><\/td>Bloomington, IN<\/td>Accessibility \u2013 Sports: <\/strong>Nearly 20% of Americans experience hearing loss, and with 8 million high school athletes participating in sports, many are at risk of damaging their hearing aids during physical activities. Current solutions are bulky and non-compliant. Storm Shield<\/strong>, a lightweight, eco-friendly headband, protects hearing aids from wind, rain, and impact using hydrophobic mesh and a wireless motion sensor for safety. Combining material science, programming, IoT, machine learning, and 3D printing, this all-girl student-led project offers an affordable, sustainable, and innovative solution for athletes' hearing aid protection. https:\/\/youtu.be\/PlQEmMA2O9w<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sustainability Innovation Award Winner:<\/strong> One State Winner earned the Sustainability Innovation Award for driving sustainable change through STEM, receiving an additional $25,000 prize package including Samsung ENERGY STAR\u00ae technology.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Academy of Aerospace and Engineering<\/strong><\/td>Windsor, CT<\/td>Climate Action \u2013 Heat Disparities:<\/strong> In approximately 65 U.S. cities, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect causes temperatures to rise by 8\u00b0F for 34 million people, a significant temperature increase that impacts public health and sustainable city development. To identify locations with heat-absorptive surfaces (e.g., dark pavement, roofs) or areas lacking cooling vegetation, high school students created H.E.A.T.M.A.P., an AI-powered app <\/strong>using 3D-printed, solar-powered IoT sensors with thermal imaging to track, predict, and mitigate UHI locations in real-time, combatting climate-driven heat disparities. https:\/\/youtu.be\/MZ2a3BZEHzI<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Community Choice Winner: <\/strong>The public voted for one Community Choice Winner from the 10 National Finalists<\/a>, awarding the school an added $10,000 prize package.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Edgerton Elementary School<\/strong><\/td>Maplewood, MN<\/td>Public Safety \u2013 Ice Hazard:<\/strong> Minnesota\u2019s frozen lakes pose a serious safety risk, with numerous fatalities each winter from falling through ice. To address this, middle school students developed Ice Savers<\/strong>, a sensor system that measures ice thickness and shares real-time data through a mobile app. Using ultrasonic sensors, buoys, and AI-driven analysis, their solution helps prevent accidents by informing users when lake ice is safe to walk on. https:\/\/youtu.be\/LzUOlEAJ-0w<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Employee Choice Winner:<\/strong> Samsung employees selected one Employee Choice Winner from the 10 National Finalists, awarding the winning school an additional $10,000 in prizes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bentonville West High School<\/strong><\/td>Centerton, AR<\/td>Public Health \u2013 Cancer:<\/strong> Oral cancer causes 170,000 deaths annually, with early detection critical to saving lives. In Arkansas, limited access to affordable specialists and diagnostics makes detection especially challenging, particularly in rural and low-income areas. In 2024, 90% of residents didn\u2019t visit a dentist. To address this, students developed an AI-powered mobile cancer screening app<\/strong>, allowing users to take images of their mouths and self-screen for oral cancer\u2014offering an affordable, accessible early detection solution. https:\/\/youtu.be\/f0uTMiuasF8<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

To learn more about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, please visit www.samsung.com\/solve<\/a> and follow us on Instagram<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>. Applications for the 2025-2026 national STEM competition will open in August.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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*$2 million prize is based on an estimated retail value<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Harnessing AI, IoT & 3D Printing, This Year\u2019s Winners Join Nearly 4,300 Schools Awarded Over $29 Million by Samsung to Advance STEM Education Nationwide<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":78665,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29719,17563],"tags":[30403,30494,34,16348,30438,29699,730,35,26197,30487],"blue-badge":[],"class_list":["post-78646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-corporate","category-corporate-education","tag-allison-stransky","tag-cordell-hull","tag-education","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-gen-alpha","tag-gen-z","tag-solve-for-tomorrow-sft","tag-stem","tag-stem-education","tag-yoonie-joung"],"acf":{"turn_off_retargeting":false},"fimg_mobile_url":"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/29080218\/Bentonville-West-High-School-Arkansa-National-Winner-Employee-Choice-Winner-200x200.jpg","fimg_url":"https:\/\/img.us.news.samsung.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/29080218\/Bentonville-West-High-School-Arkansa-National-Winner-Employee-Choice-Winner-432x286.jpg","primary_category":{"term_id":29719,"name":"Corporate","slug":"corporate","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":29719,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1026,"filter":"raw","term_link":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/category\/corporate\/","term_path":"corporate"},"badge":"Press Release","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/84"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78646"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78646\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78680,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78646\/revisions\/78680"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78646"},{"taxonomy":"blue-badge","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samsung-newsroom-production.barbariangroup.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blue-badge?post=78646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}