Solve for Tomorrow in the United States embarked on an ambitious journey in 2010, cultivating the future’s STEM leaders. Since its inception, the program has evolved into a nationwide movement, engaging thousands of students and educators by bridging the gap in STEM education. Students are empowered to utilize critical thinking skills and develop solutions to real-world problems.

Now, these students are beginning a new chapter in their lives. Solve for Tomorrow winners Tia Davis and Donovan Carter share their exciting plans for the future and reflect on their life-changing experiences with Solve for Tomorrow.

Turning the dream of becoming a forensic scientist into reality

While attending Deep Creek Middle School, Tia Davis noticed several classmates struggling in class due to poor vision. Recognizing this need, Tia and her classmates used their STEM knowledge to create “Sight for Tomorrow,” an app that pairs donated eyeglasses with individuals based on their eyesight. QR codes documented the specifics of each pair of glasses and matched them to individual prescriptions through collaboration with eyecare specialists at Genesis Eyecare. The project’s simplicity and effectiveness earned it the national title in the 2018-2019 Solve for Tomorrow Competition. “It was all about a basic idea – helping kids who needed glasses get a pair that worked for them, so they could improve their grades,” Tia commented. “Looking back, it’s amazing what we were able to achieve.”

Following the competition, Tia enrolled in the Science and Medicine Academy at Deep Creek High School. Her experience with Solve for Tomorrow and her interest in forensics solidified her dream of pursuing forensic studies. After a gap year, she plans to continue this dream at Tidewater Community College and ultimately find a career in forensic criminology. “Solve for Tomorrow truly showed me that when we put our minds to it, we could accomplish something important for our fellow students.”

Opportunities to discover dreams and passions for the future

“When our teacher, Paula Labbe, challenged us to address a community problem with STEM, bus transportation immediately came to mind,” said Donovan Carter. He aimed to tackle a real issue plaguing the Chesapeake community - the COVID-19 pandemic’s significant school bus driver shortage, leading to missed classes and transportation difficulties. Donovan recognized the nationwide impact, with 65% of schools reporting bus driver shortages as their biggest problem.

Collaborating with his classmates, Donovan created “AcceleRoute,” a solution that combines a mapping app with a data card reader. Customized route instructions are delivered to each driver based on the students’ home locations. When a student boards the bus and swipes their card, the app determines the most efficient route to transport all students, reducing travel time and increasing driver efficiency.

“Just go for it! It’s crucial for students to realize that there’s no such thing as a bad idea,” Donovan encouraged. His journey extended beyond Solve for Tomorrow; he majored in Electrical Engineering and secured acceptance into the Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS) program at Norfolk State University. The incredible support Donovan and his team received while developing AcceleRoute proved truly inspirational. AcceleRoute not only won the 2021-2022 Solve for Tomorrow competition but also received the Community Choice award. “Solve for Tomorrow ignited my passion for Electrical Engineering; it solidified my career path,” he added.

Solve for Tomorrow embodies Samsung’s commitment to empowering the next generation of problem-solvers who will shape the future. Through this national competition, not only did Tia Davis and Donovan Carter gain lifelong friendships and memories, but they also solidified their dreams. It’s exciting to witness what these brilliant young minds will accomplish in the years to come.