We are pleased to share that Systemic Initiative for Modeling Investigations and Opportunities with Differential Equations (SIMIODE) is integrating into the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications (COMAP).

About SIMIODE

Founded in 2013 by Dr. Brian Winkel, SIMIODE was designed to present differential equations in a different way. Rather than offering a catalog of techniques to memorize, SIMIODE helps students discover how an equation arises and build their own, so they learn the techniques with real-world understanding of why they matter. Over time, it has grown into a vibrant community of practice for learning and teaching differential equations through modeling.

To support that approach, SIMIODE offers a wealth of free, peer-reviewed resources, including well over 200 Modeling Scenarios that instructors can adapt for their own classrooms, along with technique narratives, an archive of articles and presentations, and active community forums. 

Over the years, the SIMIODE community has also developed a set of signature activities: the SIMIODE Challenge Using Differential Equations Modeling (SCUDEM) its student team challenge that has engaged more than 2,000 students to date; a modeling-first textbook, Differential Equations: A Toolbox for Modeling the World, by Kurt Bryan; and the SIMIODE Expo, a yearly online conference celebrating modeling in the teaching of differential equations.

What This Means

This is a gradual process, and all of the features the SIMIODE community knows and values will remain in place for the foreseeable future: free downloadable and modifiable Modeling Scenarios and teaching resources, the SIMIODE Expo conference, the SIMIODE textbook, and SCUDEM. 

Because the integration is gradual, you will notice changes over time rather than all at once. As the work moves forward, SIMIODE materials will increasingly live on COMAP-hosted pages. To stay current, we encourage you to visit the COMAP website and subscribe to our newsletter, so you always have the most up-to-date information on where to find SIMIODE resources and activities.

"We are excited to keep building and growing the SIMIODE and COMAP communities together, and just as eager to learn from the work this course-focused modeling community has done,” said Ben Galluzzo, Executive Director of COMAP. “Together, our aim is to keep growing the global community of mathematical modelers: critical thinkers who use quantitative tools to make sense of the world."

SCUDEM XI

The first SIMIODE activity offered directly through COMAP is SCUDEM XI, which runs from 16 October to 10 November 2026. As in previous years, student teams of three choose from three modeling problems in physics/engineering, chemistry/life sciences, and social sciences/humanities, and will have over three weeks to produce a ten-minute video of their work for judging and rich feedback. 

Registration for teams and coaches is open now, and we are also seeking volunteer judges. Please visit the SCUDEM information page to sign up to compete or to judge.