Above: The TT Solve for Tomorrow team was one of five to advance to the grand final.
Four Costa Rican students and their teacher rejoiced when their project “AgroTico Smart” earned the title of Regional Champion of Samsung Latin America’s 2025 Solve for Tomorrow (SFT) educational programme. They received this recognition on November 13 for the passion, optimism, research, and social commitment they poured into transforming their initial idea into a refined technological solution with positive impact.
Students Steven Alpízar, Sebastián Pastrana, Esteban Canales, and Luis Ureña, guided by teacher Jeisson Córdoba of the Colegio Técnico Profesional Don Bosco, reached the final round with a project that proposed an agricultural platform designed to address the specific challenges faced by farmers—particularly in the Chorotega and Huetar Norte regions. Leveraging IoT sensors, AI, and satellite data, the system provides personalized recommendations via SMS and web applications. It also includes a distribution model, technical support, and training for local technicians.
The venue for announcing the SFT 2025 final verdict was the majestic Palacio Bolívar, located in Panama’s Old Quarter. This architectural jewel—recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs—served as the backdrop for a colourful and lively opening performance by the Ensamble Panameño, whose members showcased their talent through traditional Panamanian folk dance and music.
Mr. Jason Kim, President of Samsung Electronics SELA, welcomed attendees and delivered the opening remarks while announcing Costa Rica as the Regional Champion.
“At Samsung, we believe in the power of youth to innovate, create, and dream big. When education joins forces with technology, everything is possible. Congratulations to all—you are all winners!” the executive stated, joined by his leadership team.
“This regional edition of our global Solve for Tomorrow programme brings us extraordinary results,” said María Fernanda Hernández, Corporate Citizenship Manager for Samsung in Central America, the Caribbean, Ecuador, and Venezuela. “Let’s reflect on what we are celebrating: the construction of the region’s future. Once again, Samsung Latin America honors the effort, talent, hard work, academic dedication, and forward-looking vision of this generation of young people who are ready to make their mark as change agents for a brighter future—one they are already building through these projects.”
“These are students who take on their academic responsibilities while putting heart and ingenuity into improving their own communities. In this fertile ground, SFT plants the seeds of social responsibility, and after 12 annual editions, we continue to reap the success reflected in the projects created by participating youth.”
The Costa Rican team at Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow
From 3,000 Projects to Three Winners
The journey to the night of November 13 has been long—but incredibly enriching. Since the call for submissions opened in May 2025, public-school students and their teacher mentors dove into an exciting process. Around 3,000 project ideas were submitted by teams from 12 countries (Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela). More than 10,000 people (students and teachers) were registered as authors of these proposals.
A major highlight of the programme was the comprehensive training provided to students, facilitated by Samsung and supported by Samsung employee volunteers. Over 12,000 hours of training were delivered, covering essential 21st-century skills such as project management, teamwork, leadership, as well as cutting-edge technological areas including Design Thinking and programming.
Five countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, advanced to the grand finals. Representing TT was the team from Marabella North Secondary School with its solar-powered flood early-warning system, “Doh Get Wet.” The early-warning system sends alerts to the community when flooding risks arise. Their innovative solution uses SMS notifications to deliver timely advisories to residents in high-risk areas. The team was comprised of tutor Sunil Bridglal and students Anjello Webb, Jesse Lee Sirju, Maahir Ramlakhan, and Priya Bachan.
Since April, the programme has challenged students across the region to apply STEM skills to develop real, impactful solutions for their communities.
In addition to naming Costa Rica the Regional Champion, Samsung announced two special recognitions:
Virtual Community Award – Ecuador
The team from Unidad Educativa Fiscal Los Shyris in Ecuador received the Virtual Community Award for their innovative proposal to help decontaminate the Ambi River in the Kichwa Imantag community. Their project, “Sumak Yaku – Clean Water for a Living Identity,” earned the highest number of online votes on the official SFT Latin site. Students Nicole Tatayo, Karla Bautista, Diego Medina, Emerson Proaño, and Emerson Balero, guided by teacher Carmen Freire, took home this recognition.
Samsung Community Award – Paraguay
The Samsung Community Award—granted by Samsung employees—went to the team from the Centro Regional de Educación José Gaspar Rodríguez in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. Under the mentorship of teacher Carlos Miguel Giménez, students Francisco Franco, Mateo Giménez, Mihara Torales, Samira Quintana, and Aracely Benítez developed “La Piracleta”, a floating bicycle designed to combat plastic pollution in local bodies of water.
