CANFIELD — Canfield High School’s STEM course received a prize package valued at $2,500 as one of 300 state finalists in the nationwide 13th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition.

Solve for Tomorrow challenges U.S. public school students in grades six to 12 to explore the role science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can play in solving some of the biggest issues in their communities.

The focus for the Canfield High School microbiology course that made the finalists’ list involves edible thistle.

“In my microbiology course, we were talking about fertilizer runoff and the algal blooms in Lake Erie,” said teacher Tom Slaven. “This led to a discussion about ways that the use of fertilizers and weed control agents could be reduced.”

Slaven told his students about dandelions being used as a potential source for rubber, and they became curious about how other weeds could be used for a practical purpose.

“We began gathering information about the types of weeds common in our area and came across (a) website that mentions how Canada thistle is edible,” Slaven said. “”Students realize the Youngstown metropolitan area is economically depressed and suffers from food insecurity. Our proposal was to focus on creation of an edible form of the thistle as a control measure, rather than costly and environmentally damaging removal.”

He said the plan is to develop a process for creating palatable items in the laboratory. The Solve for Tomorrow competition engages students in active, hands-on learning that can be applied to real-world problems – making STEM more tangible and showcasing its value beyond the classroom.

“We plan to develop a process for creating palatable items in the laboratory,” Slaven said. “We would engage with the local university to test for safety and nutritional value of the created foods.”

The project could propel Canfield High School forward in the competition, which could mean more prize packages.

According to the Samsung website, 50 state winners will advance to the next phase of the competition and receive $20,000 in technology and supplies, as well as a video kit to help document their project in action. One of those finalists will be chosen as the Sustainability Innovation Award Winner, receiving an additional $50,000 prize package of eco-conscious classroom technology.

The prize packages can be redeemed on the Samsung.com website for technology and products teachers can use in the classroom.