Samsung today announced that entries are open for the fifth annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest – a nationwide competition to raise enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by challenging students and teachers to tackle critical issues across the country. Through the competition’s community-based learning approach, youth take topics out of traditional classroom settings and explore, in a hands-on way, how these subjects address core problems that impact their lives and their regions.

“At Samsung, we know that interest in science, technology, engineering and math is critical for the jobs of today, the future of tomorrow and our long-term business success,” said David Steel, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics North America. “By launching the Solve for Tomorrow Contest for a fifth year, our goal is to excite students about these subjects and provide schools with the resources to continue fostering the innovators of tomorrow. We saw very strong community impact and engagement last year, and we’re looking forward to building on that momentum.”

The first 5,000 teachers to enter from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will receive a professional development course from PBS TeacherLine; entries close on October 31, 2014. In November, 255 state finalists will be selected and from that pool, 51 state winners (representing all 50 states and Washington, D.C.) will be announced in December. Of the state winners, 15 will be selected as national finalists and will present their projects to a live panel of judges in March. Five national grand prize winners will then be selected by a panel of judges, Samsung employees and public online voters.

Additionally three special awards will be given by DIRECTV, the National Environmental Education Foundation and Digital Promise to contestants in the 51 state winner pool who will be recognized for their pioneering use of math, environmental innovation and civic engagement, respectively. Throughout the competition, approximately $2 million* of prizes will be presented by Samsung, Adobe, Fortune, PBS TeacherLine, DIRECTV, the National Environmental Education Foundation and Digital Promise.

“Science, technology, engineering, and math are vital for success in most 21st century careers. If you are looking for a fun and challenging way to engage your students in STEM, look no further than the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest,” said Kimberly Bloch, a teacher from Sunburst Middle School in Montana who led her eighth grade class to win the 2013-2014 Solve for Tomorrow competition. “I strongly encourage all teachers to enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest by answering the three simple questions and engaging your students in the exciting world of STEM. You never know where this challenge could lead. It could lead right to the White House, like it led us!”