What could a school water tank, dust rising at a construction site and a pile of discarded açaí seeds possibly have in common?

Each prompted young people to ask what they could do differently.

Across the world, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow participants are taking a closer look at their surroundings and asking questions that could lead to change in their communities. They may not have all the answers yet, but their observations are inspiring ideas worth exploring for a better future for all.

[Brazil] Can We Monitor Water Tank Conditions Remotely?

For the students behind CisternSentinel in Brazil, this question arose after they realized that the water tank at their school presented a potential health risk. Water storage supports daily life in many rural communities in the region, but poor maintenance can turn tanks into breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit diseases such as dengue fever. With so many tanks to inspect and limited personnel, checking each one in person regularly can be difficult.

Remote monitoring could help maintenance teams identify which tanks need attention and make inspections more efficient. With this in mind, the students came up with CisternSentinel, an internet of things (IoT)-based monitoring system. They are exploring the use of sensors to remotely track water levels, light exposure and whether tanks are properly sealed.

[India] Can We Protect People From Air Pollution Around Construction Sites?

For Aarna Gupta in Delhi, India, this question came when air pollution, long part of her everyday life, hit close to home. Her grandfather developed lung scarring, and she saw children living near construction sites miss school because of health problems. These experiences made her think about how people living or working in highly polluted areas often face greater exposure and have fewer ways to avoid it.

To understand the issue firsthand, Aarna visited construction sites and spoke with workers and children who live nearby. She then turned her attention to scaffold nets, which are commonly used at construction sites to help prevent dust and debris from spreading beyond the work area. She is now researching whether these nets could also capture and break down airborne pollutants through a prototype she developed called AeroShield.

Different Questions, One Thing in Common

More questions and ideas are emerging in other parts of the world.

In Brazil’s Amazon region, a team of students called Euterpe-Aqua saw potential in açaí seeds left over from pulp processing. They asked, "Could the açaí seeds discarded every day be put to a different use?" While considering possible applications, the students found that tannins from the seeds could help separate mineral residues from water. They are now investigating whether this process could support wastewater treatment and water conservation in regions where mining activities are prevalent.

In Chile's Araucanía region, the young minds asked, "Is there a sustainable way to address poor insulation in homes?" Their question led them to explore turning discarded wool into insulation panels.

In Vietnam, youth have come up with ideas to address environmental challenges and natural disaster risks in their communities. Their questions focused on how communities could better prepare for landslides in mountainous areas or saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta.

The ideas differ in where they originate and the problems they seek to address. Yet they all share a common starting point: a willingness to question things others might overlook and explore ways to address surrounding challenges.

As the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow students continue their journeys, they will encounter setbacks, ask new questions, discover other possibilities and drive their own growth while working to create meaningful impact around the world.