Forest Grove Middle School moves on as a national finalist in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow Contest, a program that encourages students to solve real-world issues in their community using classroom skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Principal Monarae Miller-Buchanan stated that Ms. Cole’s 6th, 7th and 8th grade MOA Prep classroom is one of 255 national finalists chosen based on their STEAM proposal to address pollutants contributed by urban runoff that affects local waterways, Indian River Lagoon and the ocean. “Our students are passionate about applying their skills and challenging one another to reach new levels of achievement on this project. This is their home and they want to make a positive difference for their future,” she said.
To tackle this project, students will apply STEAM to reduce pollutants by testing water qualities, composting vegetative debris for further industrial use, growing native plants, using underwater robotics to remove layers of toxic muck that keep natural plant life from growing, and applying Kilroy systems to continuously monitor water quality to name a few items on their agenda. As one of five state finalists in Florida, Ms. Cole will win a Samsung Chromebook® to use in her classroom.
Forest Grove Middle School will now have the opportunity to advance in the competition for additional classroom technology prizes. Ms. Cole is currently working on an Activity Plan outlining how her students will execute their project. If Ms. Cole is named the Florida State Winner in December, Forest Grove Middle School will receive a $25,000 Samsung technology package!
If the Forest Grove Middle School Bulldogs win the judges’ favor at the state level, the next move is nationals. Ten national finalists will be selected to attend a Pitch Event where they will pitch their project to a panel of judges. For achieving national finalist status, seven schools will receive a $50,000 Samsung technology package. The other three will progress to the national winner stage. Three national winners will be selected and each will receive a $150,000 Samsung technology package.
