What is Solve for Tomorrow?
As the world’s leading technology company, Samsung has always worked to inspire the world and shape a better future with transformative ideas and technologies. Samsung believes in the limitless potential of youth and fosters positive change in local communities by bringing together the creativity and passion of students around the world through the Solve for Tomorrow competition under its global corporate citizenship program. In 2013, Samsung introduced this initiative in Hong Kong and since then has inspired tens of thousands of students to develop innovative solutions that help solve a wide range of social issues.
Samsung also promotes an innovative educational philosophy called “STREAM4CARE” through Solve for Tomorrow 2018. The aim is to mobilize young people in Hong Kong to acquire knowledge of STREAM – Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – while at the same time developing empathy, a sense of responsibility and the ability to put their STREAM knowledge to work by contributing to society. Through this territory-wide movement, Samsung hopes to cultivate the thought leaders of tomorrow, equipping them with both technological knowledge and the empathy to use that knowledge for those in need.
Past Events
2019
With the theme “Imagination that Spurs Happiness”, Hong Kong students were encouraged to develop various human-centered innovative solutions that could help their peers alleviate mental health problems and allow those in need to receive diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. The 2019 competition saw overwhelming participation numbers from primary, secondary and tertiary students, and provided the largest number of participants on record.
2018
Under the theme “Imagination that Connects the World”, Solve for Tomorrow 2018 encouraged Hong Kong students to design innovative solutions or tools to address the needs of SEN students, as well as the people surrounding them. The campaign received overwhelming support from primary, secondary and tertiary students and inspired record-breaking participation. Samsung went one step further to support the Champion team of the Secondary Sector to advance their winning idea – ChiPuzzle in AR was put into mass production, allowing even more SEN students to benefit from it.
2017
Solve for Tomorrow 2017 called for secondary school students to come up with innovative ways of applying technology to help wheelchair users solve problems in their daily lives, and eventually help build a more inclusive community in Hong Kong for the disabled. The winning idea was a one-stop digital application platform which consists of many useful functions for wheelchair users.
Solve for Tomorrow 2020
Under the theme "Imagination that creates a greener future”, Samsung Solve For Tomorrow 2020 encourages Hong Kong students to design innovative solutions that promote sustainable development in Hong Kong by utilizing their STREAM knowledge and their insights on the social environment. Their creative ideas should encourage a tech-forward approach in adopting a green lifestyle as part of their everyday lives and provide innovative solutions to address sustainability-related city problems. These ideas will have great potential for setting a cornerstone to transform Hong Kong into a smarter and greener city. By joining the competition, students can also reflect on their own and their groups’ environmental awareness to help co-create a greener future for us all.
- *According to the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) published in September 2019 by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global mean sea level in 2100 is projected to be 0.84 m above the average of 1986-2005.
What is sustainable development?
The concept of sustainable development first emerged in the 1960s and was used by environmentalists to call for concerted efforts from the global community towards striking a balance between these three core areas: economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
In September 2015, 193 world leaders committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals initiated by the United Nations to create a better world over the next 15 years by fighting climate change through building sustainable cities and communities, and popularizing the use of clean and affordable energy. Samsung, as a leader in the global smartphone market, also partnered with the movement by launching the Samsung Global Goals app to give our community an opportunity to create a better world through small actions. This included helping them to learn more about Global Goals and allowing direct donations through in-app purchases so that app users could put their thoughts into action1.
At the same time, the Hong Kong Government has spared no effort to achieve its own sustainable development goals in the city. It established the Council for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Fund in 2013 to provide financial support and encourage sustainable practices in Hong Kong. In addition, the blueprints for the “Energy Saving Plan for Hong Kong's Built Environment” and the “Hong Kong Climate Action Plan” were published in 2015 and 2017 respectively to guide Hong Kong as it develops into a smarter and greener city.
Challenges in achieving sustainable development in Hong Kong
Smart City
One of key elements needed to turn Hong Kong into a smart city is to promote sustainable development. What are the key threats that Hong Kong is currently facing, and which call for our immediate attention?
Energy Shortage
Currently, about 67% of Hong Kong's carbon emissions come from coal-intensive fuelled electricity generation1.
Waste Disposal
In 2018, 5.95 million tonnes were generated, of which 30% was recycled and the rest went to landfills2.
Global Warming
Only one cold day was recorded in 2019 in Hong Kong - the lowest on record since 18843.
The Hong Kong Government has continuously implemented strategies and measures to explore the potential of renewable energy development, to alleviate the problems of energy shortages, waste management and global warming. This includes its carbon reduction plan to phase down the use of coal in the fuel mix for electricity generation from 2015 to 2030. Meanwhile, the Government has been actively exploring renewable energy development options, including wind energy, solar energy, and waste-to-energy, which can help reduce the rate of energy exhaustion and carbon emissions to help combat global warming.
- Source: Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2030+
- Source: Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong 2018
- Source: Hong Kong Observatory
Smart living
Hong Kong citizens, on the other hand, are not well-prepared to adopt and execute a green lifestyle.
In order to transform Hong Kong into a smart and green city, apart from the implementation of government policies to support the city's sustainable development, the public can contribute by using technology that will help them adopt a green lifestyle. Samsung believes that Hong Kong students, who are the pillars of our society, have the obligation and ability to become the leaders in driving towards a smarter and greener future. We hope that the launch of Solve for Tomorrow can unleash students' creativity through the development of sustainable and innovative solutions. At the same time, it should enhance their environmental awareness so that they can become role models and help build a greener and more liveable city.
Eligibility and Entry Format
The Solve for Tomorrow competition accepts entries from all Hong Kong primary and secondary students who can form teams to participate. Teams must be comprised of three to five students from the same school. There is no restriction on the number of teams for both primary and secondary sectors. Students from different classes or disciplines are welcome to form teams for the competition.
Participating teams must apply their knowledge in Technology and other STREAM disciplines, including Science, Research, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, to develop an innovative and practical solution that contribute to environmental protection or sustainable development in both individual and community aspects. All teams are required to submit a PowerPoint proposal and a presentation video, while teams from the Secondary sector are required to additionally submit an Android Application or a Prototype to demonstrate their designs. We also encourage teams from the Primary school sector to present their design concepts in various formats to complete their ideas.
Method of Entry
The competition will be open for application from 1 September 2020 and participating teams must apply via the online form on or before 30 October 2020. A supervising teacher is responsible for entering the competition on behalf of teams from both primary and secondary sectors. The teams will receive a confirmation email upon successful application. If they wish to make changes to the number or names of participating students, the teams must notify the Solve for Tomorrow 2020 Secretariat by sending an email to SamsungSFT@pulsecom.com.hk and chloe.chan@pulsecom.com.hk. Participating teams must submit their designs on or before 6:00 p.m. on 8 January 2021.
Entry Submission
Participating teams must send the following documents (see below) to the Solve for Tomorrow 2020 Secretariat by emailing SamsungSFT@pulsecom.com.hk and chloe.chan@pulsecom.com.hk on or before 6:00 p.m. on 8 January 2021 (the Prototype must be submitted by courier):
For all teams
PowerPoint Proposal
Based on the template provided by the organizer, submit a PowerPoint proposal explaining in detail the innovative solution, using graphics, images, text, audio and video links (max. 15MB and within 15 slides).
and
Presentation Video
Film a short video of no longer than three minutes in length to present the innovative solution. Participating teams must upload the video to an online platform and set it as “private”, then include the video link in the PowerPoint proposal.
Extra materials for Secondary sectors – Actual Product (Primary School sector teams can submit the actual product if needed)
Android Application
Participating teams must upload the APK of their Android application to an online platform and set it to “private”, then include the link in the PowerPoint proposal.
or
Prototype
There is no limit to the size of the Prototype. It must be couriered or submitted in person to “15/F, K11 Atelier, 728 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong” before the entry submission deadline.
Remarks:
The time of the entry submission is recorded according to the time it is received by the Secretariat’s email server. Late entries will not be accepted.
The teams will receive a confirmation email upon successful entry submission. Submitted entries may not be modified after the deadline.
Judging Criteria
The judging panel will select winners based on the four criteria below:
| Design Concept | How does the design concept contribute to driving environmental protection or sustainable development in individual and community aspects? |
| Creativity | How does the design concept reflect innovation and creativity? |
| Feasibility | The design concept must reflect a certain degree of feasibility. The feasibility and level of completion of the Android Application or Prototype, such as operation and user interface, by teams from the Secondary and Tertiary sectors will also be graded. |
| Presentation | Each participating team must present their design concept clearly. |
Judging Panel (in no particular order)
- Mr. Albert Wong Kin-wai, Chairman of the Association of I.T. Leaders in Education
- Mr. William Yu, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of World Green Organisation
- Mr. Victor Cheng, Executive Director of Hong Kong Education City
- Ms. Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director for Samsung Electronics H.K. Co. Ltd
Build a sustainable future with technology
Goals of sustainable development
Smart City
How is technology changing us?
Renewable energy technologies
In Hong Kong, a lightweight smart materials-based energy harvester was developed by CUHK’s Faculty of Engineering to capture biomechanical energy from the motion of the human knee to generate a sustainable power supply from walking. The energy from this is then converted into electricity to power common wearable electronic devices such as health monitors and GPS1.
Waste management technologies
A US-based robotics company called CleanRobotics has developed a robotic trash can, TrashBot, which uses sensors, a camera and Artificial Intelligence to analyse the type of waste and weigh it on a shelf before helping to drain off any liquid. Items are then examined by the software system and directed into the appropriate bin2.
Smart Living
Technologies to slow combat change
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri (MU) developed a wearable cooling device which delivers personal air conditioning through cooling that does not require electricity. The device not only helps reduce electricity usage but can also help reduce global warming3.
Technologies to enhance public environmental awareness and the adoption of green habits
China has been advocating recycling practices within cities through the development of trash sorting apps to educate and enhance public awareness about recycling. Some coastal cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen have even launched garbage sorting incentive schemes that use the scanning of QR Codes to reward and motivate green habits in citizens4.
- Source: CUHK Press Release: Harvesting energy from walking human body Lightweight smart materials-based energy harvester developed by CUHK Faculty of Engineering, 2019
- Source: CleanRobotic Official Website
- Source: University of Missouri Press Release: Wearable AC, 2019
- Source: China Focus: China endeavors to embrace waste sorting as new lifestyle, Xinhua Net 2019
For more information and tips about smart city initiatives and sustainable development, please register to join our supporting seminars and workshops, including a Seminar in late-September, a STREAM workshop in early-October and Consultation Workshops in mid-October.
- * A total of five points will be awarded to the teams that participate in ALL activities – seminar and briefing session, STREAM workshop and Consultation workshop - as bonus marks which will contribute to their total score.
Organizers
Main Organizer
Co-organizers
FAQ
Q.
A.
Contact Us
Secretariat Office for Solve for Tomorrow 2020
Email: SamsungSFT@pulsecom.com.hk and chloe.chan@pulsecom.com.hk
Valid from Sep 21. 2020 ~ Feb 28. 2021
