Princeton Students Named State Finalists In National STEM Contest

PRINCETON, NJ — Students from Princeton High School were announced as state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest.

PHS is among 300 public middle and high schools from across the country to be selected in the STEM contest.

The students have secured $2,500 Samsung technology prize package for tech and school supplies.

Winners of the contest will get $100,000 for their school. Overall, Samsung will award more than $2 million in prizes to this year’s participating schools.

This is the third time in a row that PHS students have been named semifinalists in the contest.

The students won the 12th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest winning $110,000 for their school. They were also semifinalists in the 13th edition of the contest.

“A STEM education is a critical pathway to the evolving future of work. We celebrate the dedication, ingenuity, and creativity of the 300 State Finalists who are not only showcasing their STEM prowess but, more importantly, addressing local community issues with meaningful solutions,” Ann Woo, Head of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America, said in a statement.

“Their commitment to making a tangible impact speaks volumes about the transformative power of education and technology. And the drive of these young innovators to be creators and makers, as displayed in these entries, resonates with the findings of our recent Samsung/Morning Consult survey on what Gen Z is seeking for their futures.”

The winners are expected to be announced in late January 2024.

This year, 45% of the projects directly address issues related to the climate crisis, like wildfires, hurricanes, and heat; microplastic pollution; air and water quality; the pollinator collapse; e-waste (electronic waste) risks; and light pollution.

The annual competition challenges public school students in grades 6-12 to explore the role science, technology, engineering, and math can play in addressing some of the biggest issues in their local communities.

The competition aims to engage students in active, hands-on learning that can be applied to real-world problems – making STEM more tangible and showcasing its value beyond the classroom.

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