Education Today Education Today Magazine
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a free education programme that challenges students aged 11 to 18 in secondary schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland to solve real-world problems using curiosity, creativity and technology.
With tech prizes, work experience opportunities, and the chance to showcase student ideas on the iconic Piccadilly Circus screen, it’s a national tech-for-good competition designed to spark innovation in every classroom.
To mark the launch, Samsung teamed up with actor and presenter Larry Lamb, sending him back to school to explore how creativity and innovation can unlock new ways of thinking across generations. In a new film, Larry’s perceptions of what young people get up to in school are flipped on their head as he discovers how students are using technology, such as AI, to make positive societal impact.
Lamb said: “I’ll be honest, it caught me off guard at how inspiring some of these young people are. I didn’t have access to competitions like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow when I was younger, and as I’m older, I find myself wishing initiatives like this were available to me. I started the day with a pretty clear idea of what I thought young people did in school, but that completely changed when I saw the incredible impact they’re capable of making, not just for the world today, but for our future too.”
Since launching in 2020, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has already reached more than 265,600 young people across the UK and Ireland. This year, the programme aims to go even further, accelerating progress toward Samsung’s goal of positively impacting 1 million young people by 2030.
Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “Another year of Solve for Tomorrow is really exciting for us all. What Larry experienced when he went back to school is something that a lot of people share – that feeling that they have something to contribute to society. A lot of just don’t know how to do it, or don’t know how technology can help.
“Every young person should feel empowered to follow their dreams and bring their ideas to life, and in recognising the need support our next generation of innovators from a younger age, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow from this year we’re building on our commitment to school-aged children and young people by expanding opportunities to access skills workshops, mentoring from Samsung, and winning tech prizes and work experience opportunities. We’re passionate about giving young people a platform to have their say. Winners of the competition will have their ideas showcased on Samsung’s national platforms – including the iconic Piccadilly Circus screen, national radio, and social media – amplifying youth-led innovation to audiences across the UK and Ireland.”
A national challenge for young innovators
This year, students will be challenged to come up with ideas that use technology to make a positive impact on their communities across three themes:
- Smarter sport – Tech that makes sport more fun, inclusive and helps everyone to perform at their best
- Greener future – Tech that protects our planet and helps us live more sustainable lives
- Safer online – Tech that keeps us connected, confident and in control
Student teams will pitch their tech-for-good solutions to a judging panel of Samsung employees and industry experts, with winners announced in 2026. Finalists will benefit from tech prizes and work experience to national recognition on Samsung’s iconic national platforms.
Colin Smethurst, Head of Computing at Byrchall High School, Samsung’s 2025 school winner, said: “Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is an excellent way to challenge your students to think creatively in new contexts. It’s a great opportunity to apply STEM skills, and students often find the challenges very relevant to their experiences with consumer tech. I’m proud of our students’ creativity and the descriptive skills it allowed them to showcase. I’d encourage any teacher to introduce their students to the programme – it’s an enriching experience and may even spark future career aspirations!”
Supporting schools and teachers
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is free to access and designed for flexible classroom delivery in PSHE, DT, STEM or enrichment sessions. It supports Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5 and 6, helping teachers embed careers education, employer engagement and real-world learning into the curriculum – without adding to workload.
Samsung is working with partners including Tech She Can, D&T Association and the Design Council – alongside a network of industry experts and educators – to provide real-world work experience opportunities and ensure Solve for Tomorrow feels inclusive, creative and inspiring for every student.
“Over the years, we’ve seen incredible ideas come to life – from Athena, a haptic collar that helps deaf users feel music, to WormNote, an AI-powered study companion, and HeartAware, a mobile tool to detect heart risks in underserved communities. These are just a few examples of how young people are using technology to solve real-world problems, and we can’t wait to see what this year brings.” – Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK.
Applications are now open for 11 to 18-year-olds across the UK and Ireland to take part in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition. Visit SolveforTomorrowUK.com to find out how schools can get involved and access free educational resources.
