Calling all math brains to sign your high school or undergraduate student team to participate in the SIMIODE Challenge Using Differential Equations Modeling better known as SCUDEM IV 2019.

The challenge takes place over a weeklong period that begins on Friday, Nov. 1, at each team’s individual home campus and culminates at 9 a.m., Sat., Nov. 9, at the University of St. Thomas, a regional host site.

What Real-Life Scenarios?

The laws of the natural and physical world are written and modeled in the form of differential equations. People use differential equations in a variety of disciplines from biology to economics to physics to chemistry and engineering. These equations arise in the study of rates of change and of quantities or things that change such as the population growth of species or the change in investment return over time.

This Challenge is Meaningful to Students

“Modeling challenges are where it all comes together for students in their mathematical lives,” Dr. Arati Pati, assistant professor of mathematics at University of St. Thomas, said. “We encourage your team participation in this fun academic competition where every team is a winner and will receive an award certificate in response to a real-world situation and the possibility of publishing their results. There is also individual recognition.”

The event includes modeling first differential equations, build-modeling skills, networking with peers, Fun Student Mathbowl and a faculty development-modeling workshop.

Nuts and Bolts of Competition

Teams are comprised of three student members. Starting on Nov. 1, the teams can access three modeling scenarios involving differential equations, posted on the SIMIODE website. According to their website, the scenarios are designed so that every team may experience success in modeling, building their skills and confidence in differential equations. Each team will prepare a draft Executive Summary and 10-minute presentation to bring to the regional host site on Challenge Saturday, Nov. 9. For complete information on the Challenge program, go to simiodeorg/scudem.

Teams should have a coach, whose role is to prepare the team members for participation in the SCUDEM IV 2019, and not to assist in any way with modeling efforts.

Registration is Sept. 1-Oct. 25. Team registration is $100.

For more information about the regional event in Houston, contact Dr. Arati Pati, local site host coordinator, at patia@stthom.edu.