Meet the Inspirational Young Winners of Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow 2023 Competition

They’re turning their big ideas into a reality 💡

This article is presented in partnership with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow.

Over 150 young changemakers submitted their idea, and now three teams have been chosen as Samsung’s winners for the Solve for Tomorrow 2023 Competition.

Young people all around Australia aged 14-24 strapped on their STEM, creative and critical thinking hats to create solutions that address an issue they are passionate about.

Here are the three winners of Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow 2023 Competition.

Major Winner: Project Panopticon.

Have you ever thought about what would happen if the pesticides we spray on our crops, leached into waterways and damaged the local ecosystem? Well, it’s something Team ORS have thought about and feel passionately about.

Winning the Major Prize submitting under the Sustainability category, the team is made up of students, Michael Nefiodovas, Conor Bennett, Karam Thethy, Celine Wang, Peter Tanner, Jack Sun, Oliver Cheng, Arthur Caspelherr, Katrina Yan and Filip Najdovski.

Team ORS came up with the idea of using a UV light to attract pests, incorporating a computer vision system to record and analyse them. The aim being farmers will see this data through an interactive dashboard and learn the most effective areas to spray pesticide according to their own farm's needs.

The team put together a 3D design of the light, 3D printed it, assembled it and even took it to a nearby swamp to test it.

Michael told Student Edge their advice for others interested in STEM is simple.

“Step beyond your coursework and engage in personal projects. That’s where the real growth happens,” he said.

“Networking is key too; the STEM community is vast and diverse, and connecting with others can open up unexpected opportunities.

“Lastly, take every chance that comes your way, from job applications to competitions... it worked for us!”

Minor Winner: Petal Path App.

Harlen Postill and Amelie Ritchie came up with the idea for the Petal Path app because of Amelie’s challenges navigating the world in her wheelchair. They wanted to come up with a solution to help her (and other wheelchair users) find the most accessible path to get to her destination.

Using routing API’s and a scalable database as part of their app, the pair won the Minor Prize in the 19-to-24 year old bracket. The app encourages users to mark any hazards like cracked concrete, gravel driveways, steep slopes or even missing pathways.

The app will even include game mechanics! As users map streets, a trail of flowers will be left behind and they can even 'take care of the garden’ and as they map more blocks of land more garden space and app features will be unlocked.

Harlen and Amelie attended a Solve for Tomorrow Sprint run by Student Edge and submitted their idea off the back of this workshop.

“This is an incredibly honouring experience,” they said.

“More than 180,000 Australian wheelchair users, including one of our teammates, face increased difficulty when navigating paths and roads in poor condition.”

Minor Winner: Sustainabili-tree.

Everybody loves Christmas. Right?

But what we don't love is the waste that comes with it. 

This is why Flynn Megahan, Mikey Megahan and George Pidduck came up with the idea of Sustainabili-tree.

Winning the Minor Prize in the 14-18 year old category, this initiative would involve picking up Christmas trees after the holiday season, taking the trees to partner recycling plans to be turned into gift wrapping to use the following Christmas.

When asked about winning, team member George said he was so happy to make a positive impact in their community.

"It's exhilarating knowing that what we had to say, has not only been acknowledge in our community, but has been heard," he said.

"And that means a great deal knowing that your voice and opinion can make a difference, and a beneficial impact on society." 

Upon winning, the team want to take their big idea one step further and apply for a Sustainability Victoria grant!

Header Image: Image supplied.