Students at Newberry High School working on their award-winning STEM project focused on sustainability.
Newberry High School has achieved remarkable recognition as the South Carolina State Winner in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. This accolade comes with a $12,000 reward in Samsung technology, aimed at fostering innovation through a sustainable project focused on waste reduction. Led by dedicated educators, students developed a pollinator garden and composting system, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship. With further investments in education from Samsung, these young innovators are eager to embark on new initiatives that promote sustainability and hands-on learning in STEM.
Newberry, South Carolina, is buzzing with excitement as Newberry High School has soared to the top of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, clinching the title of South Carolina State Winner for the 2023–2024 school year. This fantastic achievement comes with a reward of a whopping $12,000 prize in Samsung technology, which will help fuel further innovation and creativity among the budding scientists and engineers of Newberry!
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition is an engaging initiative that invites public school students from grades 6 to 12 to put their STEM knowledge to the test. Students tackle real-world issues in their communities by harnessing the powers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This year, Newberry High School absolutely shined with their sustainable project!
Leading the charge in this impressive feat was special education teacher Heather Alexander, who rallied her students from the Career Lab to take on the challenge. The team developed an innovative project featuring a pollinator garden and a compost system, with the goal of enhancing sustainability and making a positive impact on their local environment. It all began with a startling statistic: the school produced an astounding 1,440 gallons of lunch trash every day.
With this in mind, the Career Lab students set out to create a sustainable composting system that continues to be in operation more than a year later! The compost generated from their hard work is now used to nourish the school’s garden and greenhouse, showcasing the tangible benefits of blending education with environmental stewardship.
The initiative sparked a campus-wide movement focused on waste separation, proving that kids can truly lead the way in sustainable practices. All these efforts illustrate how STEM can drive long-lasting change within the community, nurturing a culture of responsibility among the students.
On December 9, Samsung further demonstrated their commitment to education by donating an additional $10,000 specifically for further STEM initiatives at Newberry High School. This generous funding is designed to inspire ongoing projects that promote hands-on learning and creativity in science and math disciplines. Such support is vital for keeping student enthusiasm high and gears turning in the realm of innovation!
As part of the initiative, students had the incredible opportunity to visit the Samsung Electronics Home Appliances America (SEHA) facility. This eye-opening tour provided students with valuable insights into how STEM education fuels innovation and reveals potential career paths in the tech world. Understanding how classroom skills translate into real-world applications is a priceless experience for young learners.
Looking forward, Newberry’s diligent students are not stopping here! They are already brimming with new ideas, including setting up garden plots and crafting rain barrels from reused plastic—thanks to collaboration with the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation Center. These projects will kick-start with planting flowers, but they have grand plans to expand into a full-fledged vegetable garden shortly.
Newberry High School is one of just 50 winners from the state competition that now has its sights set on being among the elite 10 national finalists—an announcement is expected in late March. Those selected will have the privilege of presenting their projects in Washington, D.C., in April, with each finalist taking home an impressive $50,000 prize package.
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, which began back in 2010, continues to serve as a platform for students to tackle local challenges using STEM knowledge. Amid a national conversation surrounding education, it is heartening to see a surge in student engagement and interest in using their skills for the greater good—especially in South Carolina!
With determination, creativity, and hard work, the students of Newberry High School are setting the stage for a brighter, greener future. Let’s cheer them on as they venture into the next stages of this exciting journey!
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