The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition has officially launched and is taking applications until Oct. 27.

The nationwide competition aims to empower students in grades 6-12 to harness the power of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to create innovative solutions addressing critical issues in their local communities and is open to all public middle and high school teachers across the U.S.

"As we launch the 14th-annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, we're excited to witness the energy and creativity of our young participants, who represent the future," said Ann Woo, head of corporate citizenship at Samsung Electronics America. "With a prize pool of $2 million, we're truly investing in the potential of Gen Z to shape the world with their visionary ideas and make a positive impact."

Last year, students at Robertsdale High School were declared the state winners for Alabama and advanced to the final round of the competition where they competed against 50 schools for one of 10 national finalist spots.

Because the students were declared state winners for Alabama, they were awarded at least $12,000 in technology and school supplies from Samsung. Participants of the competition can win a variety of prize packages ranging from $2,500 to $100,000.

In addition to the usual prize packages, there will be a new Rising Entrepreneurship Award, gifting one school with $25,000 for showcasing innovation in their project.

According to a press release, the competition is not only open to STEM teachers but also history, arts and physical education teachers as well as coaches and administrators.

"In prior years, participating students have identified significant societal and environmental challenges, designing STEM-based concepts that address food waste and insecurity, urban decay and blight, inequality, mental health and the influence of climate change on extreme environmental events," the release states.

The competition phases are as follows:

• Phase one: 300 state finalists, at least five from each state, from the overall pool of applicants will receive a $2,500 prize package.
• Phase two: 50 state winners will receive a Samsung Video Kit to assist in the development of their "STEM solution pitch video," as well as $12,000 in Samsung technology.
• One of the 50 state winner schools will be recognized as visionaries for driving sustainable change through STEM innovation with a Sustainability Innovation Award and an additional $50,000 prize package.
• One state winner will be selected for the new Rising Entrepreneurship Award worth $25,000 in Samsung educational technology.
• Phase three: 10 national finalist schools will participate in a live pitch event where they will present their project to a panel of judges. Seven of these schools will be awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies.
• A community choice winner will also be determined through online voting by the general public, winning an additional $10,000 in prizes.
• An employee choice winner will be selected by Samsung employees to receive $10,000 in prizes in addition to their national finalist winnings.
• Phase four: Judges will name three national winners, and each will earn a prize package worth $100,000.

For more information, visit samsung.com/solve.