Great Path Named Finalist in STEM Competition

Congratulations to Great Path Academy at Manchester Community College in Manchester, CT for being named one of six State Finalists in Connecticut in the 13th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. Great Path received a $2,500 prize package.

Solve for Tomorrow is a national competition that challenges U.S. public school students in grades 6-12 to explore the role science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can play in solving some of the biggest issues in their local communities. The competition engages students in active, hands-on learning that can be applied to real-world problems – making STEM more tangible and showcasing its value beyond the classroom. Solve for Tomorrow was designed to boost interest, proficiency, and diversity in STEM.

For the competition, Great Path Academy students proposed creating a mobile app that serves the Hartford community by providing one place for families to access services related to food, shelter, employment, voting, health, and other basic needs. The students came up with this idea after witnessing their own families and friends try to navigate the various systems and services offered by the city and state. Collecting the many resources, opportunities, and services into one convenient space would help to increase accessibility and eliminate confusion for families.

Teachers and students at Great Path Academy will now be asked to submit lesson plans detailing how their proposed STEM project will address the identified community issue. Out of the 300 finalists, 50 winners will advance to the next phase of the competition and receive $20,000 in technology and supplies. One of the 50 State Winners will be chosen as the Sustainability Innovation Award Winner, receiving an additional $50,000 prize package of eco-conscious classroom technology. More information about the competition is available here.