COMAP'S High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM) and Middle Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MidMCM) are international contests designed to provide high school and middle school/level students with the opportunity to work as team members to engage and improve their modeling, problem solving, and writing skills. Contest problems are accessible using the mathematics taught at the respective levels of the contests.
2023 marks the 26th HiMCM and the 3rd MidMCM. All students in high school grades or below can participate in the HiMCM. Students 14½ years or younger on the start date of the contest can participate in the MidMCM. During the contest period, teams of up to four students apply mathematics to model and develop a solution to a real-world problem. There is no limit to the number of teams from any one school and no limit to the number of teams any one advisor can advise.
Students enjoy putting the mathematics learned in the classroom to the test of a real-world application problem. Students also improve interpersonal skills through teamwork and technical writing and communication skills as they prepare a written report. Students report feeling a great sense of accomplishment as they send their final solution paper to COMAP for judging.
Some teachers use the contest as part of a mathematics or modeling course, some as an extracurricular math club activity, and some simply encourage student teams to participate just for fun. Educators enjoy watching students apply the mathematics and problem-solving skills learned in the classroom to a real-world problem. We encourage educators to share information about HiMCM and MidMCM with all mathematics teachers, as well as other high school and middle school/level STEM educators.
Teams have a 14-day window in which to download and choose their problem, complete their modeling solution, and electronically submit their solution document to COMAP for centralized judging. We encourage you and your students to form one or more teams to represent your school in this prestigious and fun international contest.
COMAP develops curriculum resources, professional development programs, and contest opportunities that are multidisciplinary, academically rigorous, and fun for educators and students. COMAP's educational philosophy is centered around mathematical modeling: using mathematical tools to explore real-world problems.