Samsung has announced the return of its nationwide ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ competition, with submissions closing on 7 January 2024.
The initiative calls on the next generation of young Australian innovators and problem solvers to use their creative, critical thinking, collaborative and communication skills to create solutions that address the issues they are most passionate about using STEM skills.
To participate, young Australians need to submit a 500-word proposal here outlining the issues facing their community and how they would use STEM to solve it for their chance to win $10,000 and various Samsung tech prizes like the Galaxy Z Flip5, Buds2Pro and Smart Monitor M5.
For the first time in Australia, as part of the Solve for Tomorrow competition, Samsung is conducting a series of in-person Design Sprints in partnership with student advocacy organisation Student Edge, with one more slated for November.
The Design Sprints have helped potential Solve for Tomorrow participants brainstorm, shape, and present their ideas. All ideas received immediate entry into the Solve for Tomorrow competition, offering a chance to win multiple prizes.
The fourth and final Design Sprint is taking place on the 8 November exclusively for Student Edge members.
As part of the Design Sprints, students receive a presentation on the principles of Design Thinking to support their ideation and proposals – recognising that setting a plan, process, and pace for the work can feel daunting without guidance.
There is also break-out time built-in to the sprint which facilitates teamwork, collaboration and deep-focus work.
‘Design Thinking’ is a process that is used frequently by students, teachers, companies, and governments around the world, and can help people lead team-based design projects with confidence.
This method helps students develop problem-solving skills and resilience, as they learn to embrace obstacles as part of the learning process and centre empathy and user experience in their approach.
Design thinking’s hands-on, interdisciplinary, and real-world relevance can also contribute to more meaningful and engaging education, improving student participation and academic achievement.
Solve for Tomorrow is an opportunity for students passionate about positive change to bring their ideas to life and make an impact.
Solve for Tomorrow competition submission deadline is 7 January 2024.