As educators, we often aim to equip our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the future. However, with the ever-changing landscape of the world, it becomes crucial to not only prepare students for the current situation but also for what lies ahead. This is where the ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ program comes into play.
“Solve for Tomorrow” is a nationwide education initiative that challenges students in grades 6-12 to use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to tackle real-world issues in their community.
The program, launched in 2010 by Samsung, focuses on promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and empowering students to become active contributors to their society. This blog post will delve into the various aspects of “Solve for Tomorrow” and how teachers can use it as a template to foster problem-solving skills in their students.
The Framework of “Solve for Tomorrow”
At the heart of the “Solve for Tomorrow” program is the belief that students can make a significant impact on their communities through innovation and collaboration. The framework of the program is designed to encourage students to take action by following these steps:
- Identify a problem: Students are encouraged to observe their surroundings and identify a prevalent issue in their community that they are passionate about solving.
- Brainstorm solutions: Through collaboration and brainstorming sessions, students come up with innovative ideas to address the problem at hand.
- Propose a solution: Students submit a detailed proposal outlining their problem, solution, and how they plan to implement it.
- Implement the solution: The selected teams receive funding and resources to turn their ideas into reality.
- Document and share the progress: Teams document their progress through videos and blog posts to share their journey with others.
- Celebrate and continue the impact: Finalists present their projects to a panel of judges, and the winning team receives a grand prize of $100,000 towards their school’s STEM initiatives.
Through this process, students not only develop valuable skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving, but they also make a tangible impact on their community.
Classroom Application
The “Solve for Tomorrow” program provides a great opportunity for teachers to incorporate project-based learning and real-world problem-solving into their curriculum. Here are some tips for teachers on how to integrate this program into the classroom:
- Introduce the program: Start by introducing the “Solve for Tomorrow” program to your students and sharing with them the impact it has had on previous participants. This will not only generate excitement but also help students understand the purpose and significance of the program.
- Encourage critical thinking: Throughout the process, encourage your students to think critically and analyze the problem from different perspectives. This will not only help them come up with creative solutions, but also develop empathy and a better understanding of the issue.
- Foster collaboration: Divide your students into teams and assign roles to each member, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and communication. This will help students develop essential 21st-century skills and learn from each other.
- Incorporate curriculum: The “Solve for Tomorrow” program can also be aligned with various subject areas, making it an interdisciplinary learning experience. For example, students working on a project to promote sustainable living could incorporate science, math, and social studies concepts into their proposal.
- Promote continuous learning: Even if your students do not make it to the final round or win the grand prize, encourage them to continue working on their project and finding ways to implement their solutions. This will instill a sense of perseverance and the importance of giving back to the community.
Expert Opinions
According to Dr. Genevieve Baker, Senior Vice President, CRSP Education and Research Foundation, “Solve for Tomorrow” provides students with a platform to not just develop essential skills, but also create a sense of ownership and responsibility for the community. She believes that “encouraging young people to solve real-world problems is about finding creative solutions that will make a difference in people’s lives.”
Furthermore, Aaron Horowitz, co-founder and CEO of Sproutel, a company that designs health care solutions for children, emphasizes the need for students to learn problem-solving skills early on. He states, “problem-solving skills are not something that you simply figure out when you need.”, and that they must be developed through practice and exposure to real-world problems.
Conclusion
The “Solve for Tomorrow” program serves as a great template for teachers to empower their students with problem-solving skills and promote community engagement. Through this program, students can learn to think critically, collaborate with others, and make a positive impact in their communities. As educators, it is our responsibility to provide our students with opportunities to not only learn but also apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations. So why not use “Solve for Tomorrow” as a template in your classroom and watch your students become the problem solvers of tomorrow?
Reflective Question:
- How can you incorporate the “Solve for Tomorrow” program or a similar project-based learning approach in your classroom?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on how we can empower our students with real-world problem-solving skills.