The Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications (COMAP) has successfully concluded the 2023 High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM©) and the Middle Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MidMCM). The HiMCM and MidMCM math modeling contests have once again demonstrated the remarkable capabilities of young scholars in applying mathematical modeling concepts to analyze and solve real-world problems, drawing participants from a wide array of countries and educational backgrounds.

The HiMCM Challenge: A Platform for Emerging Scholars

The HiMCM of 2023 saw an impressive turnout of 967 teams from 417 schools in 18 countries/regions, indicating a broad interest in mathematical modeling among high school students and an appreciation of the many benefits . Participants were given the option to choose from two distinct modeling problems, leading to a diverse array of strategies and solutions. 

The outstanding winners included teams from:

• Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy, Shanghai, China
• St. George's School, BC, Canada
• Nanjing Foreign Language School, Jiangsu, China
• Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School, Minghang, China
• Shanghai Pinghe School, Shanghai, China
• BASIS International School Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
• Shanghai Pinghe School, Shanghai, China
• Durham Academy, NC, USA (NCTM Award)
• Mass Academy of Math & Science, MA, USA

The MidMCM Experience: Nurturing Young Talent

The 2023 MidMCM witnessed the participation of 75 teams from 43 schools across 7 countries/regions, all demonstrating exceptional skill and creativity in this middle school math contest. The challenge, centered around the logistical and strategic planning for Olympic Medal Ceremonies, provided a unique platform for participants to explore mathematical modeling in a real-world context. 

Notably, two teams emerged as outstanding winners, showcasing remarkable ingenuity and problem-solving capabilities:

• BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA, USA
• Shanghai American School, Shanghai, China (NCTM Winner)

A Contest for Developing Mathematical Modeling Excellence

The global participation in HiMCM and MidMCM underscores the universal language of mathematics and its capacity to unite students from various cultural and educational backgrounds in the pursuit of common goals. These competitions serve as a testament to the power of mathematical modeling as a critical tool for problem-solving, encouraging students to apply their knowledge in ways that extend far beyond the classroom and into a variety of mathematical modeling careers.

View the full contest results, and learn more about our math modeling contests.