Help your students become the innovators of tomorrow! Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, now powered by MIT Solve, invites public school educators and their students in grades 6 to 12 to use STEM to tackle some of the biggest real-world challenges facing their communities.
Why Participate in the Competition?
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is designed to integrate seamlessly into any curriculum, including ELA, social studies, science, math, business, and more. Encourage your students to build skills in social impact, environmental stewardship, and teamwork through this hands-on project, and they could become one of 500 winners. The national winner for the 2026–2027 school year will receive $50,000 in prizes!
What’s New This Year
Students are encouraged to think boldly about how STEM can help address real-world community challenges. This year, Solve for Tomorrow is now powered by MIT Solve. With this collaboration, you can expect an enhanced application process with MIT Solve providing a seamless experience for applicants.
The AI Impact Award is also new for the 2026-2027 competition. It celebrates innovative and impactful AI solutions developed by students in grades 6–12. This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a clear understanding of real-world problems, thoughtful use of AI and emerging technology, and a commitment to ethical and responsible innovation.
2026–2027 Themes
- Environment Sustainability via Technology
- Social Change Through Sports and Technology
- Advancing Accessibility Through STEM
- Open Innovation: Solve Any Community Challenge Through STEM
Getting Started Is Easy
Together with your students, explore challenges facing your community and brainstorm STEM-based solutions to solve them. You only need one idea to get started! The more passionate students are about the problem, the more engaged they’ll be throughout the process. Encourage students to think creatively and be open to refining their ideas through testing. It’s key to focus on a problem your students can realistically tackle and that resonates with your local community. Once you apply, your team can begin building, gathering data, and evolving your solution. Five hundred schools will win prizes, so don’t wait to get started!
Apply by Answering 5 Main Questions
The application is designed to be quick and easy. Teachers simply answer five questions about their solution:
- Identify the challenge: What specific community challenge or issue are you planning to tackle?
- Explain your STEM solution: How will STEM be applied to address this challenge or issue?
- Describe the community impact: Who will your solution serve and what steps have you taken to understand their needs?
- Outline your planned activities: What activities will you put in place to achieve your goals?
- Define how you’ll measure success: How will you define and measure success?
Brainstorming Ideas for Every Classroom
Teachers of any subject can help students identify a real community challenge or issue, research it, communicate their ideas, and use STEM to develop a solution. Check out some ideas below. Plus, get inspiration from past winners here.
Science Classrooms
Recycling or waste issues, combating invasive species, water quality, or health effects of air quality.
English Language Arts Classrooms
Addressing low literacy rates, improving access to books, preserving Indigenous languages, or advocating for community causes.
Math Classrooms
Analyzing community health data, tackling financial insecurity, addressing housing discrimination, or using data to solve local issues like traffic or pollution.
Social Studies Classrooms
Promoting civic engagement, enhancing transportation safety, combating bullying on social media, or preparing for natural disasters.
Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, or Other Electives
Innovating fire safety measures, addressing food insecurity, aiding the elderly, or creating accessibility solutions.
Prizes and Opportunities
Five hundred schools nationwide will receive Samsung technology and classroom resources. Ten National Finalist teams will be invited to an in-person pitch event to showcase their innovations, with the top team earning $50,000 in prizes for their school! Plus, there is a Community Choice Award and a Samsung Employee Choice Award.
Apply by November 23 at 12 p.m. ET! Don’t miss this chance to inspire your students and make a lasting impact in your community. Visit Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to learn more and start your application today.
Together, let’s empower the next generation of problem-solvers!
