SAMSUNG Launches Its Third Annual Solve for Tomorrow, the $1 Million STEM Education Contest for Middle and High School Students
Ridgefield Park, NJ – September 24, 2012 – Samsung and its partners invited public school teachers and students across the United States today to participate in the Solve for Tomorrow contest. The winning teachers and students will receive products, software, and programming from Samsung Hope for Children, the Adobe Foundation, and DIRECTV for their schools – a total retail prize value of more than $1 million.
“Our goal is to raise awareness and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) while providing teachers and students with the resources they need for success,” said David Steel, Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Samsung Electronics North America.
As a company committed to raising enthusiasm for STEM and addressing the technology gap in classrooms, Samsung created Solve for Tomorrow in 2010 to promote STEM education as a way to foster sustainable innovation and an environmentally-aware society. The program engages 6th-12th grade teachers and their students in a real-world issue they feel passionate about by challenging them to show, through a short video, how STEM can help improve the environment in their community.
“We as a nation need to make STEM education a top priority,” said Betsy Landers, President of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), who joined as a program partner this year. “According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 15 of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected for 2014 require significant mathematics or science preparation. It is clear that making STEM education a priority is important, for our nation’s short and long-term future. We commend Samsung for their efforts in making a difference in the education and lives of children.”
More than 1,500 schools from all 50 states participated last year and Samsung is thrilled to continue building upon that success.
“It’s so good that companies like Samsung give us this opportunity to look around in our local communities to see what we can do to help,” said Gina McCarley, a teacher at Lawrence County High School in Moulton, Ala., one of last year’s winners.”I think it makes kids see how we all can make a difference and that we can do things bigger than we normally expect.”
Starting today through October 31, teachers can submit a short application for a chance to participate in this year’s contest. Seventy-five classrooms – 25 from each of the following three categories: rural, suburban, urban** – will be selected as semi-finalists and receive a Samsung camcorder and laptop, and Adobe editing software to create videos that answer the challenge. To learn more about the contest or submit an application, please visit samsung.com/solvefortomorrow.
To download B-roll of the Solve for Tomorrow program, please go to http://tinyb.it/4232772B0605D
* Estimated Retail Value
** As categorized by the Department of Education with Town included in Suburban.
About Samsung Electronics North America
Samsung Electronics North America (NAHQ), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is an arm of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American brand management including Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc., and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, Samsung is one of the most decorated brands in the electronics industry. The company was ranked #17 in BusinessWeek/Interbrand “100 Best Global Brands,” and named as one of Fast Company’s “Top 10” Consumer Electronics Companies of 2012. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. You can also Fan Samsung on www.facebook.com/SamsungUSA or follow Samsung via Twitter @SamsungTweets.
About Samsung Hope for Children
Samsung is dedicated to creating products that inspire passion and enable people to live Smarter Lives. Samsung Hope for Children represents the company’s philanthropic commitment in the U.S. to help improve children’s health, education and sustainability. Since 2002, Samsung Electronics America and its retail and business partners have helped more than 400 schools, community-based foundations, and charities throughout the U.S. raise awareness of and funding for their causes. For more information please visit: www.samsung.com/hope.