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Gen Z Students Declare "This Is The Way" to Champion Accessibility, Preserve Endangered Indigenous Languages & Save the PlanetToday, Samsung Electronics America named the three National Winners in the 14th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. The competition challenges public school students in grades 6-12 to apply science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to address pressing local issues and create positive change within their communities. The National Winners are Brandywine High School from Wilmington, DE; Hoover High School from Hoover, AL; and Princeton High School from Princeton, NJ, as announced by Samsung Electronics America President and CEO KS Choi at a celebration held at the Samsung DC office. Every year, Solve for Tomorrow awards more than $2 million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies to participating public schools throughout the U.S. The National Winners, selected from the 10 National Finalists, each received a prize package worth $100,000, while the remaining seven National Finalists were awarded $50,000 packages. Four additional Solve for Tomorrow awards were presented to the Gen Z student teams. Bipartisan Leaders Rally for STEM Education Three members of Congress participated in the ceremony, championing the students' community solutions, and displaying refreshing bipartisan support for STEM education: Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). These distinguished lawmakers were also honored with STEM Champion Awards from Samsung in recognition of their efforts to advance STEM pursuits in their states. Panel Explores the Intersection of Technology, Accessibility & Inclusive Design Expanding on the accessibility theme prevalent in some of the students' STEM solutions, Samsung Electronics America CMO Allison Stransky hosted a discussion about inclusive design featuring distinguished guests Anna Johannes, U.S. Paralympic Bronze Medalist and Inclusive Design Strategist at Interbrand, and Rachel Sanford Nemeth, CTA Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs. The session underscores Samsung's belief that with approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide experiencing significant disabilities, the imperative for inclusive design has never been more crucial. Students & Teachers Joined by Other Notable Guest Speakers & Judges Joining Choi, the government officials, and the panelists were guest speakers Mark Lippert, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at Samsung Electronics North America; Alix Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose - a longtime Samsung Solve for Tomorrow nonprofit partner; Ryan Harper, Deputy Chief of Staff, White House National Security Council; Meghan Conklin, Chief Sustainability Officer to Maryland Governor Wes Moore; Kevin O'Hanlon, Senior Director, Government Relations, Samsung Electronics America; and Rameen Rana, Investor, Samsung Next. Additionally, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition judges included Gene Irisari, Vice President, Public Affairs and Head of Semiconductor Policy, Samsung Electronics America; Dan Kaufman, Director, U.S. Program Policy and Communications, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Kevin Lay, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow-winning alum and Lead Physics Instructor, Allen D. Nease High School (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL); Sukhmani Mohta, Vice President, Chief Marketing and Partnerships Officer, Display, Samsung Electronics America; and Rupa Shah, Board Member, App Inventor Foundation. "Samsung Solve for Tomorrow provides a unique window into the issues that concern Gen Z, as well as the empathy, dedication, and sheer brilliance they bring to addressing them," said Ann Woo, Head of Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics America. "I know our judges faced tough choices in picking just three of ten extraordinary solutions to community issues. While the National Winners' innovations carried the day - equally important were the common threads of compassion, inclusivity, and problem-solving skills displayed in all ten National Finalist pitches." Introducing the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2023-2024 National Winners The three National Winning Gen Z student teams showcased a forward-looking approach to problem-solving through STEM. Their solutions incorporated emerging technology like artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, and robotics.
In addition to the National Winners, four other honors were awarded:
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow launched in 2010 as a way to boost interest, proficiency, and diversity in STEM. The education-based citizenship program has become a catalyst for a change in the perception of STEM, a crucial aspect in fostering a skilled future workforce and informed citizens of the modern world. To date, Solve for Tomorrow has awarded more than $27 million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies to 4,000-plus public schools across the United States. To learn more about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, please visit www.samsung.com/solve or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Applications for the 2024-2025 national STEM competition will open in August. *$2 million prize is based on an estimated retail value.
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