The purpose of the IM2C is to promote the teaching of mathematical modeling and applications at all educational levels for all students. It is based on the firm belief that students and teachers need to experience the power of mathematics to help better understand, analyze and solve real world problems outside of mathematics itself – and to do so in realistic contexts. The Challenge has been established in the spirit of promoting educational change.
For many years there has been an increased recognition of the importance of mathematical modeling from universities, government, and industry. Modeling courses have proliferated in undergraduate and graduate departments of mathematical sciences worldwide. Several university modeling competitions are growing and flourishing. Yet at the secondary school level the opportunities for such competitions remain limited.
One important way to influence secondary school culture, and teaching and learning practices, is to institute a high-level, prestigious secondary school contest – one that will have both national and international recognition. We have therefore founded the International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IM2C). The IM2C provides students with a deeper experience both of how mathematics can explain our world and what working with mathematics looks like.