SMS in the running for tech funds

Sisters Middle School is one of five who are among the nation’s 300 state finalists in the 10th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, a program that encourages 6th- through 12th-grade students to solve real-world issues in their community using classroom skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The Oregon State Finalist classrooms were chosen based on their creative and strategic proposals to solve complicated issues that affect their communities by using STEM learning. All 300 teachers that submitted these finalist proposals will receive one Samsung tablet for their classrooms and have the opportunity to advance in the competition with their students for additional prizes.

With $3 million in technology on the line, teachers from the five state finalist classrooms will submit a lesson plan outlining how students will tackle the local issue using STEM skills to ultimately improve the greater community.

“Since launching the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest a decade ago, we’ve seen students tackle some of the biggest issues facing their generation, and this year is no different,” said Ann Woo, senior director of corporate citizenship at Samsung Electronics America. “From suicide prevention to single-use plastic alternatives, teachers and students are stepping up to creatively address these important issues head-on. We’re thrilled to congratulate the State Finalists of the 10th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest and look forward to seeing these STEM projects progress in the coming months.”

Oregon State Finalists:

1.?Ponderosa Middle School, Klamath Falls.

2.?St. Helens Middle School, St. Helens.

3.?West Salem High School, Salem.

4.?Sisters Middle School, Sisters.

5.?Clear Creek Middle School, Gresham.

Future competition phases:

•?100 state winner schools will advance in the contest and receive $15,000 in technology and supplies as well as a video kit to help showcase their project.

•?20 national finalist schools will be selected to travel to the final event in the spring, where they will present their project to a panel of judges. For achieving national finalist status, schools will be awarded $50,000 in technology and classroom materials.

•?Five grand-prize national winner schools will receive $100,000 in technology and classroom materials, and receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to present their projects to members of Congress.

•?Public voting will also determine one community-choice winner from the pool of national finalists, who will be eligible to win an additional $10,000 in technology and classroom supplies.