May 17, 2024 –For the second year in a row, Brandywine High School’s STEM team has been named national winner in the Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition.
(L to R) Katherine McDerby, Malti John and Isabella Chermak (Not pictured: Olivia Erskine) as national winners in the Annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. Photo courtesy Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Pablo Corradi.
Students Olivia Erskine, Katherine McDerby, Isabella Chermak and Malti John, with STEM teacher Sean Merklin, created electronic board games meant to generate connections between special education students and their peers. The high schoolers have developed adaptive versions of Connect4 and Chutes and Ladders to accommodate players of all abilities. The team’s goal was to support students with disabilities more opportunities to connect with teachers and fellow learners through games. Students made a live project pitch before judges in Washington, D.C.
Adaptive versions of Connect4 and Chutes and Ladders created by Brandywine HS STEM team. Photo courtesy WDEL.
The team is one of three national winners with a $100K prize package including Samsung products and classroom resources headed to their school. In addition, this year the team scored the new Rising Entrepreneurship Award, receiving an additional $25,000 prize.
To watch the BHS Solve for Tomorrow video, click here.