By Laura Steiner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter
Students from the Halton District School Board’s I-STEM program have earned national recognition in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, winning top prizes for their innovation and problem-solving using science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Out of four national finalist teams, two were from the HDSB I-STEM program. Aldershot School won first place, while Elsie MacGill Secondary School placed third in the Canada-wide challenge, which encourages students to use STEM to address real-world issues.
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest aims to foster student innovation through STEM, while encouraging collaboration, critical thinking and a sense of social responsibility. It tasks students with developing solutions to global and local problems using emerging technologies and creative thinking.
Earlier this spring, teams from Aldershot School, Elsie MacGill Secondary School and Thomas A. Blakelock High School were selected as regional finalists, each receiving $2,500 in Samsung technology. The students created five-minute videos showcasing their ideas for building a more sustainable, inclusive and healthier future through tech-driven solutions.
National finalists presented their projects at Samsung Canada’s headquarters in Mississauga on May 28, following months of research and collaboration. Aldershot School earned the top spot with a pitch by Grade 12 student Keerthana Srinivasan, who developed a project using quantum Monte Carlo methods to detect faults in photovoltaic farms. The school received $50,000 in Samsung technology to support STEM learning. Aldershot was also named School for Tomorrow, an award recognizing innovation in education.
Elsie MacGill Secondary School placed third with a proposal by Grade 11 students Hassan Rasheed and Karam Noori. Their idea featured kinetic floor plates that convert motion into electrical energy. The team was awarded $10,000 in tech resources. These projects highlight the effectiveness of hands-on learning and the ability of students to apply STEM knowledge to pressing global challenges.
The I-STEM program is a regional, four-year secondary school initiative that’s open to students across and beyond Halton. It emphasizes design thinking, entrepreneurship, global competencies and adaptability, preparing students for rapid technological change, globalization and shifting workforce needs.
“This is a remarkable achievement that highlights the excellence of the I-STEM program in equipping students with the skills for future-ready innovation and problem solving,” said Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the HDSB.
“Through this experience, students build critical thinking, creativity and collaboration skills, while developing innovative solutions that make a meaningful impact. Competitions like this support the goals outlined in the HDSB’s 2024–2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, particularly in the areas of Learning, Engagement and Achievement, by connecting classroom learning to authentic, hands-on experiences. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our HDSB students for their outstanding accomplishments on the regional and national stages.”
In a statement, the board said the 2024–2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan sets direction for its work and aligns actions across its schools and programs. “This plan guides our efforts to support more than 67,000 students and 11,000 staff, as well as the broader HDSB community. The four-year strategy is built around six commitments that intersect to ensure cohesive progress on key objectives,” the HDSB said.
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