Mbilwi Secondary School in Venda, Limpopo, South Africa, has been announced as the winner of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow schools competition. The competition, which is in its first year in South Africa, is designed to encourage students to use STEM to solve real-world problems in their communities.
Mbilwi’s winning project is a plan to fix all the potholes in their town’s roads using recyclable and sustainable materials, including discarded bottles. The team worked with Samsung mentors and resources to develop their prototype, which they presented to a panel of judges at a ceremony in Johannesburg.
The Solve for Tomorrow competition is part of Samsung’s global commitment to increasing interest and proficiency in STEM education. The competition encourages innovative thinking, creative problem-solving, and teamwork among students, and provides them with an opportunity to apply their skills to real-world challenges.
In addition to Mbilwi, two other schools were also recognised for their projects. Maphuthaditshaba Secondary School from Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, received second place for their project to develop a low-cost water purification system. Umlazi Comprehensive Tech from KwaZulu-Natal received third place for their project to develop a smart agricultural monitoring system.
All three schools received cash prizes to purchase STEM equipment, as well as Samsung devices for each of the students on the winning teams.
The Solve for Tomorrow competition is an important initiative to help South Africa prepare for the future. As the country transitions to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, STEM skills will be essential for success in the workforce. The competition provides students with an opportunity to develop these skills in a fun and engaging way, while also making a positive impact on their communities. The competition also helps to raise awareness of the importance of STEM education and innovation in South Africa.
The winning project from Mbilwi Secondary School is particularly noteworthy. It is a creative and innovative solution to a real-world problem, and it demonstrates the potential of STEM to make a positive impact on people’s lives. It is also encouraging to see that the project is focused on sustainability and environmental protection.
