The M3 Challenge is a team-based competition that presents participants with open-ended and timely problems, asking them to provide insights and solutions using the math and data. The Challenge problem is not known to students until teams download it during Challenge Weekend, after which they have a continuous 14-hour period to work on their solution. The Challenge offers students a great opportunity to use their math skills in creative, impactful ways while simultaneously developing teamwork and technical writing skills that can be highlighted on college applications.
Scholarship Details
- Scholarships are split equally among competing team members
- Teams of 3 to 5 students choose 14 continuous hours during Challenge Weekend (February 28—March 3) to submit their solution.
- Participants have access to free resources and materials to prepare for the Challenge.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be high school juniors or seniors in the U.S. or sixth forms in England or Wales.
- Must be enrolled in a secondary school and on track to receive a diploma.
- Homeschool students, cyber school students, and self-formed teams are invited to participate.
- Participants under the age of 18 require parent/guardian consent.
- Complete eligibility and contest rules available at the M3 Challenge website.
Application Process
- Coaches register teams on the website.
- Team members have shared login credentials for to access the Challenge problem and submit their solution.
- Teams must submit their solution paper via the MyM3 site before their 14-hour time limit expires.
- After Challenge Weekend, the coach certifies the team’s work complies with Challenge rules.
Solutions are submitted to a blind judging process by professionals with a background in applied mathematics, and most have PhDs. Judging happens in several stages over the span of four weeks in a process that involves calibration of judge scores for consistency and rigor. All decisions made by the judges are final and are not subject to challenge or appeal.