R2I2 Student Innovation Center wins $65K in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2) Student Innovation Center is one of 10 National Finalists in the 11^th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, a nationwide education competition which challenges students in grades 6-12 to use STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills to address local issues and inspire change in their communities.

As a National Finalist, R2i2 has won $65,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies for their project to improve COVID contact tracing in schools which they created while splitting their school time between the classroom and at-home virtual learning. In just a few weeks, R2i2 students will participate in a virtual pitch event where they will present their project to a panel of judges in hopes to be named one of three National Winners and take home the grand prize of $130,000. View the students’ solution to improve COVID contact tracing at www.SamsungSolveforTomorrow.com. Using the same link, the community is invited to watch these remarkable students pitch their project ideas live on Wednesday, April 28 beginning at 10 a.m.

In addition, the Richland Two community is encouraged to help R2i2 win an additional $15,000 as a Community Choice Award winner by voting for their solution online at Samsung.com/solve.

This is the fourth time in five years that R2i2 has represented South Carolina in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. The R2i2 Student Innovation Center focuses on preparing students for the workplace, certification programs and/or higher education. Students in grades 10-12, from all five of the district’s high schools, take courses at R2i2 including App Development and Coding; Engineering; Marketing and Social Media; Pastry and Baking; 3D Printing and Design; and Animation and B.E.A.T.S. (Beginning Engineering of Audio, Technology, and Sound).