Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center students and staff (Front L-R)
James Knicley, Cassidy Fox, Danny Helmick, Logan Stanley;
(Back L-R) Career Center Dirctor Bryan Sterns, Nick Murphy,
Chris Thorton, Austin Bystone, Math Instructor Kari Hamric,
Jacob Butler, Dakota Moss, Teacher Paul Parsons
Five schools in West Virginia have just been named State Finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest - a competition that encourages teachers and students to solve issues in their community using science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for a chance to win a share of $2 million in technology.
Kari Hamric, Math Instructor at Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center, was one of five top finalists for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest. She was chosen out of 4,100 teachers and is now competing against four other teachers in the state of West Virginia.
The reward for completing phase one is two Samsung Galaxy Tablets for her classroom. Now she is working hard on phase two of the contest which includes completing a brief Activity Plan for her project. The Activity Plan will be judged upon the goals and the potential impact to Kari's local community.
The winners of phase two will receive a video technology package to benefit them in phase three of the contest.
In addition to Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center, the four other West Virginia Finalists include, Andrew Jackson Middle School, Cross Lanes - 2014-2015 State Winner; Bluefield High School, Bluefield; Herbert Hoover High School, Clendenin; and Wildwood Middle School, Shenandoah Junction.
The 255 State Finalists (representing all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.) will create lesson plans that put their ideas into action. From there 51 State Winners (also representing all states plus Washington, D.C.) will be selected and receive $20,000 in technology for their school. State Winners will be revealed in December.
From the pool of 51 State Winners, 15 National Finalists will be selected. The National Finalists will then pitch their idea live in New York to a panel of judges and America will be able to vote on their favorite ideas.
Five National Winners will be named and honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where they will also get the opportunity to meet their Congressmen and Senators. | 
