Your questions, answered
Discover more resources and get answers to the most common Samsung Solve for Tomorrow questions. Sign up now to find out about the upcoming competition.
Resources for teachers and students
Students
More details on eligibility, teacher involvement, and reasons to participate.
Teachers
Learn about contest phases, how to create a project statement, and application tips.
Official rules
See detailed rules for the competition as well as the judges’ scoring rubric.
Frequently asked questions
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What does it mean that Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is now powered by MIT Solve?The core of Solve for Tomorrow remains the same. With Samsung’s longstanding commitment to STEM education and MIT Solve’s leadership in open innovation, we continue to support students and educators in developing STEM-driven ideas that address real challenges and create meaningful change in their communities. You can expect an enhanced application process with MIT Solve providing a seamless experience for applicants. The main five questions of the application remain the same.
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Is there an example application we can view?Yes, please view the example application here.
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Do you have any tips on how to bring problem-based learning to life in the classroom?Yes, please view our tips sheet here.
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Which schools are eligible to participate in the contest?Middle and high school students in grade 6-12 from publicly funded schools are eligible to participate. Charter schools that derive at least 50% of their operating funds from public sources are also eligible. All applications must be submitted by someone 21 years or older who is employed by the school. Any applications submitted by students via student-created accounts will be deemed ineligible.
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Do I have to be a STEM teacher?No, this contest is open to all teachers and school administrators. However, the focus is on STEM solutions.
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Does class size affect eligibility?No, class size is not a factor. Groups that involve more than one student are strongly encouraged.
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Do I have to break the class up into groups or can this be an exercise for the whole class?How you divide your class is entirely up to you. In the past, group sizes have ranged from 2-60 students. Please feel encouraged to do what works best for your teaching style and the dynamic of your class.
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Can we use generative AI applications to help write our application?We discourage using ChatGPT or other generative AI tools to write your application for you. Your application will sound impersonal or generic to reviewers, and this can strongly disadvantage your application in our selection process. We want to hear your passion for and perspective on your solution! However, ChatGPT and other generative AI chatbots may be able to assist you and your students with initial drafts for some application questions. If you do use GenAI tools to assist in your writing, you must check the content and ensure that it accurately reflects the current status of your project. Fabricated or misleading information in your application may lead to the removal of your solution.
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How do I know if I am selected to move on to the next phase of the contest?The MIT Solve team will communicate decisions at every phase through email and/or phone.
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Will the contest events be in person?Yes, both the Pitch Event and Final Event announcing National Winners will be in person.
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How many people can come to the in-person events?From each National Finalist School, a total of 4 guests can come to the final events. At least 1 teacher/chaperone and at least 2 students.
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When will I receive my prize for winning?We will make every effort to ship prizes to winners within the same school year that the prize was won. Please note delivery on some items may take 6-8 weeks or longer. We will keep you informed about any updates or delays regarding prize packages.
