CASPER, Wyo. — Samsung has named 300 public schools as state finalists in its 15th Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition, and four of those schools are from Wyoming. CY Middle School is one of them.
That’s according to a press release that explained what the competition is and what the finalists receive.
According to the release, each state finalist will receive a $2,500 technology prize pack for their school, and when the competition advances to its next phase, three national winners will be crowned, each receiving a $100,000 prize package.
The four Wyoming state finalists are:
- CY Middle School (two teams) – Casper, Wyoming
- Newcastle High School – Newcastle, Wyoming
- Riverton High School – Riverton, Wyoming
- Etna Elementary School – Star Valley, Wyoming
“Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a national competition designed to empower students in grades 6–12 to unleash the power of STEM to create innovative solutions addressing critical issues in their local communities,” the release states. “The competition engages these Gen Z and Gen Alpha students in active, hands-on learning that can be applied to real-world problems — making STEM more tangible and showcasing its value both in and outside of the classroom.”
The release stated that the 300 state finalists were chosen from thousands of U.S. entries, with 60% of the finalists coming from Title 1 schools, showcasing STEM education’s appeal and importance.
According to the release, this year’s entries highlight common student concerns nationwide, including the climate crisis, mental health and wellness and school safety. 60% of the students’ STEM solutions included new, innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing and robotics.
“Solve for Tomorrow has long embodied Samsung’s strategy, purpose, and values,” said Salman Taufiq, director of corporate marketing for Samsung Electronics America. “From our roots as a small television manufacturer in the 1960s to becoming a global technology leader, STEM has been part of our DNA. As we celebrate 15 years of Solve for Tomorrow, we are proud to continue our commitment to ensuring America’s students stay engaged in STEM education and pursue careers in this field. These State Finalist teams are answering that call by engaging technology for good, like their quick adoption of AI to power wide-ranging solutions that address not only pressing challenges in their communities but also global issues.”
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“For the next phase of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, teachers must create a focused activity plan,” the release states. “Plans must outline how students will execute their STEM project by defining the community problem, proposing a STEM-based solution, specifying objectives, detailing activities to reach their anticipated goals, and articulating the expected positive impact their solution will bring to the community.”
The full list of state finalists can be found here.