Students at Tri County Middle School in Pierson Township, Michigan, have won Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition with their innovative idea to tackle their school’s trash problem. Instead of standard trash cans, the students designed a smart trash can that rewards people for responsibly disposing of their garbage.
The class initially applied for the competition without much expectation but ended up becoming the winners for the state of Michigan. The victory has opened their eyes to the world of competitions and inspired them to continue pursuing similar opportunities in the future. Christina Adamson, the technology instructor at Tri County Middle School, expressed the significance of such competitions in empowering students to push beyond their comfort zones and learn valuable lessons along the way.
As part of their prize, the students have received a $12,000 technology package from Samsung to assist them in bringing their trash can prototype to life. Currently in the prototype stage, they are working on incorporating a mechanism inside the can that can detect the weight of the garbage and dispense tickets accordingly.
Elysia David, an 8th-grade student involved in the project, is thrilled to see their idea come this far. She was the one who initially proposed the idea of a smart trash can during brainstorming sessions. David believes that their invention has the potential to not only bring improvements to their school but also make a positive impact throughout the state.
The next challenge for the students is to create a three-minute video showcasing their invention. Submissions are due in early March, and they will find out later that month if they have made it into the top 10 nationally. If selected as finalists, they will have a chance to win a $50,000 prize package. Additionally, if they place in the top three, they could receive a $100,000 prize package consisting of technology and classroom supplies.
The Tri County Middle School students’ ingenuity and commitment to finding solutions to real-world problems is commendable. Their smart trash can not only encourages responsible waste disposal but also highlights the potential of innovative thinking in creating a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
An FAQ section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
Q: What is the innovative idea that the students from Tri County Middle School came up with?
A: The students designed a smart trash can that rewards people for responsibly disposing of their garbage.
Q: How did they win the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition?
A: The students applied for the competition and ended up becoming the winners for the state of Michigan.
Q: What did they receive as part of their prize?
A: The students received a $12,000 technology package from Samsung to assist them in bringing their trash can prototype to life.
Q: What is the next challenge for the students?
A: The next challenge for the students is to create a three-minute video showcasing their invention.
Q: What are the potential prizes they can win?
A: If selected as finalists, they will have a chance to win a $50,000 prize package. Additionally, if they place in the top three, they could receive a $100,000 prize package consisting of technology and classroom supplies.
Definitions for key terms or jargon used within the article:
STEM: STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is an educational approach that integrates these four disciplines to provide students with a well-rounded education in scientific and technical subjects.
Prototype: A prototype is an early version or sample of a product that is used to test and refine its design.
Invention: An invention is a new device, method, or process that has been created as a result of study and experimentation.
Waste disposal: Waste disposal refers to the process of getting rid of waste materials, such as garbage or unwanted substances, in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
Sustainable: Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves creating and using resources in a way that preserves the environment and supports long-term environmental, economic, and social well-being.
Environmentally conscious: Being environmentally conscious means being aware of the impact that our actions have on the environment and making choices that minimize harm to the planet.
Suggested related links:
– Samsung Newsroom
– STEM.org
The source of the article is from the blog windowsvistamagazine.es