Samsung Solve for Tomorrow calls on teen innovators to tackle Aotearoa’s greatest challenges

1 May 2024

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, in partnership with the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) and Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ), is back for its fourth year; with entries open to more students than ever before. This year, entries will be judged in two age categories, years 7-10 and years 11-13.

Head of Education at MOTAT and Solve for Tomorrow judge, Julie Baker, says expanding the competition to more kiwis was driven by strong interest from secondary school teachers.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback from teachers up and down the country, who have wanted to see Solve for Tomorrow extended to older students. Our aim has always been to support the New Zealand education curriculum, and we’re looking forward to being able to do exactly that by opening the competition up to those students who are working on NCEA projects, where they’re using many of the science, technology, English, arts and maths (STEAM) and design thinking principles required for Solve for Tomorrow.”

With the updated age categories, comes an enhanced prize pool of $24,000 in cash and Samsung tech for the winning student/s and their school. To be in with a chance of winning, students must harness the power of STEAM and design thinking to devise solutions that pave the way for a better tomorrow.

Samsung is thrilled to welcome back its VIP judging panel for 2024, including Dr. Joel Rindelaub and Dr Siouxsie Wiles alongside MOTAT’s Education Lead, Julie Baker, and Sarah Washbrooke, Deputy Chair of TENZ.

Dr Siouxsie Wiles is delighted to be back in the judge’s seat for 2024.

“Last year’s competition showcased the remarkable talent of our Tamariki in Aotearoa and I’m always blown away by the ideas submitted. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing entries from our older students this year, who have a deeper understanding of STEAM and the design thinking process” says Wiles.

The winner of Solve for Tomorrow 2023, a year nine student from Rotorua, Cameron Moore, presented a groundbreaking conservation solution.

Cameron impressed the judges with his inventive approach, combining artificial intelligence (AI) with design thinking to address Rotorua's Wallaby issue, while safeguarding New Zealand's native forests and wildlife.

Since winning the competition, Cameron’s invention has gone on to secure interest from conservation companies, including NZ Auto Trap.

Simon Smith, Head of Brand Marketing at Samsung Electronics New Zealand, is looking forward to another year of the competition in New Zealand.

"The creativity and originality of entries in New Zealand is world beating. The next generation truly demonstrate the ingenuity Kiwis are known for, and we have no doubt this year’s entries will set the bar even higher!”

Entries are now open for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2024. All students in years 7 to 13 are invited to participate, either individually or in teams.

Students who submit a project plan by 24 June 2024 can benefit from valuable feedback from our VIP judges to make their final entries the best they can be.

Students will then have until 2 September 2024 to submit their final entries.

Alternatively, if students have already come up with a great new solution as part of a school project or competition, they can enter it now.

The winning individual or team for Solve for Tomorrow 2024 will be announced in late September. To find out more, visit:

ENDS

About Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Delivered in partnership with the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), the Solve for Tomorrow competition is designed to build interest and proficiency in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). The nationwide competition tasks students in years 7-13 to identify and create a solution for an issue important to them and their community, which are then judged on creativity and originality, relevance to the community, feasibility of the solution, presentation, and application of STEAM.

This is Samsung Solve for Tomorrow’s third year in New Zealand. Launched in the US in 2010, the competition has been hugely influential internationally, with more than 1.7 million students and teachers participating across 20 countries. Read more about the competition here.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom athttp://news.samsung.com

About the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)

MOTAT seeks to use the past, present and future technology and ingenuity of Aotearoa to educate and inspire the innovators of tomorrow. MOTAT provides multi-platform learning opportunities, offering STEAM Cells programmes in schools, onsite education programmes at the Museum, micro-credentials and online workshops direct to the classroom. Experience interactive learning and exploration through exhibitions, events and education programmes. Visit MOTAT.NZ

For more information, please contact:

Simon Wells, Acumen on behalf of Samsung Electronics New Zealand

M: 022 506 2982 E: swells@acumennz.com

Julie Baker, MOTAT

M: 021 540 463 E: Julie.Baker@motat.org.nz