What is Solve for Tomorrow?
How Samsung are inspiring young Australians to help future-proof the next generation
The future is uncertain. With the pandemic, the ongoing global impacts of climate change, and the societal disruption due to poverty and inequality, it feels like each new day brings more challenges than the last — each more complex, and each more hard-hitting.
It’s commonly said that ‘children are the future’ and it’s certain that the youth of today will be the ones who have to work to solve these problems, and to get there, they’ll need every shred of problem-solving skills and technical ability available to them.
That’s where STEM comes in. Short for ‘science, technology, engineering and mathematics’, STEM encapsulates the core disciplines required in education to best equip today’s youth for the workforce of tomorrow. In that sense, today’s STEM students are tomorrow’s best hope for a better future, particularly given 50 percent of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, according to the World Economic Forum.
To further this aim, Samsung Electronics Australia has announced the launch of Solve for Tomorrow – a nationwide competition asking Australia’s next generation of innovators and problem-solvers to unleash their creativity by using STEM to help solve an issue they’re particularly passionate about, from climate change to inclusivity.
Social problems call for social solutions
Open to young people aged 18 to 24, the Solve for Tomorrow competition is designed to build interest and proficiency in STEM, thereby encouraging these up-and-comers to both consider the subjects that will impact on their future careers, as well as sparking ideas that will help make our world a better place.
In a one-minute video — uploaded to their own TikTok channel, or via a Samsung submissions link — entrants will need to identify an issue that your community is facing. It could be around sustainability and the environment, diversity and inclusion, or any other challenge. Tell us the idea, who it is for, why it is unique, and demonstrate how STEM can be applied as part of the solution.
Running until December 20th, the competition has some serious prize packages up for grabs. The winner will receive $10,000 to help bring their dream into reality, while the two runners up will nab $5,000 each, and every winner will also receive a Samsung Tech Pack, which includes a Smart Monitor M7, Galaxy Z Fold3 smartphone and Galaxy Tab S7 FE tablet.
Tech solutions for a brighter future
Empowering and supporting our youth to achieve their full potential, as well as pioneering positive social changes, is one of Samsung’s key objectives. We know that the next generation has the ability to achieve innovations beyond anything we have seen before, but we also know that they need our help.
Before we can ask them to step up to the plate, we want to ensure we’re already doing everything we can. That’s why we’re walking the walk by committing to incorporating recycled material across all new mobile products, phasing out the use of single-use plastics in mobile packaging, and reducing power standby power consumption of devices — and all in time for 2025.
We’re also committed to achieve zero landfill waste by 2025 while working to reduce e-waste on a global scale by optimising the product lifestyle, improving product design and via key initiatives such as Galaxy Upcycling, Certified Re-Newed, and Trade-In programs.
Yet, we know that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to finding solutions for the glut of environmental and societal issues, and that’s why we’re inviting Australia’s youth to get involved in our exciting new competition: Solve for Tomorrow.
Shining a light on the thinkers of tomorrow
“Problem solving and STEM skills are important, both with regards to the future workforce and what jobs of the future will require, but also in our ability to overcome significant challenges through critical thinking,” says Vice President for Samsung Electronics, Garry McGregor.
“Young Australians are incredibly purpose-led and can apply their creativity to challenging the status quo and delivering meaningful change in their communities. We want to harness this creativity with Solve for Tomorrow.”
With as many as 65 percent of children entering primary school today predicted to end up working in new jobs that don’t even exist yet, inviting Australia’s youth to challenge themselves in this way if of critical importance when it comes to developing the talent our nation and industries will need.
“Given how digitally, and mobile, native young Australians are, we felt that launching the competition on TikTok and asking entrants to submit their ideas via video,” continues Garry. “This allows them to showcase their creativity on the platforms and mediums that they love most.”
Whether you’re an aspiring entrant, or just want to keep tabs on the amazing ideas and initiatives as they come up, stay tuned to our TikTok channel this month as the hive mind comes together to dream big, and as we prove that, together, we CAN create a better world — one idea at a time.
Are YOU ready to propose a challenge that you can Solve for Tomorrow? If you’re an Australian resident aged between 18 and 24 years of age and are passionate about global issues impacting your local community, then upload your video either on TikTok — tagging @samsungAU and #solvefortomorrow and #samsungaustralia — or by uploading on the submission page before 20th December, 2021\
Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
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