A free national program won a major educational award for helping UK schools bring design and technology back to classrooms. Samsung Electronics UK and education agency Hark redesigned the "Solve for Tomorrow" initiative to help schools bypass budget cuts and staff shortages. Through quick activities and ready-to-use lesson packs, the program helps students solve real-world problems using creative design thinking.
What Happened
Samsung Electronics UK and Hark won the Best STEM Learning Solution at the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 for their refreshed Solve for Tomorrow program. Originally a standard student competition, the program now gives teachers flexible tools that fit into the school day. These resources include curriculum-linked lesson packs, independent learning guides, and design activities that take 30 minutes or less.
The initiative focuses on reaching students who need these resources most, including those in alternative provision and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) settings. During the first four months, the campaign reached more than 71,000 young people. That figure has since grown to over 83,000 students, which includes more than 25,000 from disadvantaged backgrounds. Girls made up 59% of the participants. Students who took part saw their creative confidence rise from 45% to 73%, while their self-reported collaboration and problem-solving skills grew from 43% to 65%.
The Bigger Picture
The program arrives as practical education declines in the UK. Design and Technology (D&T) courses are in a steep drop across state-funded schools. According to an Arts Professional report, state school GCSE entries for D&T fell by 71% since the introduction of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) in 2010. A longitudinal study on D&T participation confirms this rapid drop-off, pointing to policy shifts and qualification reforms as major drivers.
The Design & Technology Association recently reported that around 20% of UK schools dropped the subject entirely because it is more expensive to fund than traditional academic subjects. This leaves many students without the practical, creative skills they need for technical careers.
Solve for Tomorrow resources align directly with national curricula and the Gatsby Benchmark standards for career guidance. Specifically, the resources help schools meet Benchmarks 4, 5, and 6. They do this by linking classroom subjects to careers, providing employer encounters, and preparing students for work. This supports the UK Department for Education's updated statutory guidance, which guarantees work experience activities for younger students and formal placements for Key Stage 4 pupils.
What This Means for Families
For parents and educators, this program provides a helpful resource. It gives students access to high-quality design education and career-building experiences, regardless of school budget or location. As we previously covered when discussing how new classroom technologies are changing student learning, practical problem-solving prepares young people for a rapidly shifting workforce.
Engaging girls in STEM is particularly important because hands-on programs can shift career aspirations. For instance, the 1851 Trust sports-led STEM crew uses real-world challenges to reach female students. Similarly, school-led initiatives like BSG Robotics show that structured pathways build confidence in engineering. When schools use flexible, accessible programs, they help level the playing field.
Career guidance also has long-term benefits. According to research from Gatsby Education, students at schools that meet these benchmarks are less likely to end up out of education, employment, or training.
What You Can Do
Parents and teachers can access the free Solve for Tomorrow resources online and use the 30-minute activities to introduce design thinking at home or in tutor groups. It is also helpful to talk to school governors about how they keep practical design education alive and check if they use free, industry-sponsored programs. Finally, parents should ensure their child's secondary school actively aligns with the latest Department for Education careers guidelines to guarantee valuable work experiences.