Math Modeling is one of the most unique courses at Mass Academy. Taught by Mrs. Durost, this class goes beyond the traditional high school curriculum by focusing on using mathematics to model real-world situations. We explore topics such as modular arithmetic, vector geometry, and statistics, and apply them to solve complex problems. The course also involves participation in several competitions, including the Modeling the Future Challenge (MTFC), the High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM), and the New England Mathematics League (NEML).
MTFC is a real-world mathematical modeling challenge designed for high school students interested in actuarial science. It encourages students to explore statistics and mathematical modeling by creating a model that analyzes risk mitigation strategies for a given problem. In Phase 1 of the project, we completed sample scenarios provided by the competition to practice our basic statistical analysis skills. Additionally, we wrote a Project Proposal, answering foundational questions about the problem we planned to model.
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HiMCM is another mathematical modeling competition where we work in teams to develop a model for a complex problem provided by the competition organizers. While teams are typically given two weeks to complete their model, at MAMS it is tradition to finish the challenge in just 50 continuous hours. This was an exciting experience because our team essentially decided to have a two day sleepover, so we could work closely to solve a challenging math problem. Prior to the competition we were required to practice writing a solution to a problem from past years. Through this competition, we strengthened both our analytical and creative thinking skills.
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