Once you decide to enter the High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM)® or Middle Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MidMCM), the next question is usually who should be on the team.

If you’re trying to figure out how to form a math modeling team, think about what the students will actually have to do. They’ll need to work through an unfamiliar problem together and explain their decisions in writing. Your team doesn’t have to be made up of students who are all good at the same things.

Think Beyond the Math Classroom

In general, students who enjoy math class, coding, or just know how to explain a complicated idea clearly are worth considering. A strong writer would be a good addition, too. You may find possible team members in robotics, computer science, economics, business, or other classes and activities. And make sure you look for students who can work through things without checking out or taking over.

Some students hear “math competition” and immediately assume it isn’t for them. If someone seems like a good fit, ask them directly and tell them what made you think of them. Be sure to take a peek at these suggestions for encouraging students to participate in math competitions.

Look for a Mix of Strengths

HiMCM and MidMCM teams can include up to four students. Instead of looking for students who all approach problems in the same way, consider what each person might contribute.

Once they get started, students will usually settle into different parts of the work. Someone may focus on the calculations. Someone else may start organizing the paper or keeping track of sources. Those roles can change as the team goes along. Everyone should stay involved, though, and the final paper should feel like one piece.

When we asked experienced contest advisors what matters most, they talked about communication, collaboration, and writing.

See How They Work Together

Start with one problem, one scenario, or even one interesting question. You could give students a previous HiMCM or MidMCM problem and ask them to spend a short session discussing:

• What problem are we really being asked to solve?
• What information would we need?
• What assumptions might we have to make?
• How could mathematics help us understand the situation?
• How would we explain our approach to someone else?

Don't focus on them actually solving the problem. You may still learn a lot about how they work together by hearing them talk it through. Or keep it simple. Start with a familiar situation, change one detail, and ask “What if?”

Read Before the Contest Starts: How Students Prepare for HiMCM and MidMCM for more preparation ideas.

Talk About Goals and Expectations

Before you finalize the team, ask students what they want to get out of the contest. Some possible goals include:

• Developing their problem-solving skills
• Working as part of a team
• Applying what they know outside the classroom
• Learning more about a real-world issue
• Improving their research and data analysis skills
• Communicating their results clearly

Ask the students to choose one or two goals that matter to them. This gives the team another way to think about how the contest went besides the award result.

This is also the time to talk about the work involved. Students may spend hours on an approach before deciding it isn’t going to work. They have to be okay backing up and trying something else.

They also need to plan for the paper from the beginning. A page full of calculations isn’t enough. Writing about a model means showing the reader what the team did and why.

Start Putting Your Team Together

Your students don’t need to have modeling figured out before they begin. Choose students who will take the work seriously and work well together. Then give them a problem and let them see what they can do.

Visit the HiMCM and MidMCM contest page for contest information, rules, and resources.