What is the Modeling the Future Challenge?
The Modeling The Future Challenge (MTFC) is an academic challenge hosted by The Actuarial Foundation with design and operations support from the Institute of Competition Sciences. The premise is simple: each year a technology topic area is selected and students are challenged to develop and present their own mathematical models describing how they envision the new technology or industry will change the future.
Who can participate in the Challenge?
High school students in the United States who are taking junior or senior level mathematics classes such as statistics, probability, pre-calc, calculus or other similar high-level math classes are eligible.
Is this an individual or team Challenge?
Submissions can be the work of one to five students.
What does it take to qualify for the Challenge?
Teams must respond to a qualifying scenario during the qualifying period of the competition (see the "Timeline" page for specific dates). The scenario includes a real-world dataset and four levels of questions: (1) basic statistics and probability, (2) projecting trends, (3) risk analysis, and (4) critical thinking recommendations.
What does it take to complete an MTFC Project?
Teams qualified for the MTFC Challenge must submit a Project Report by the end of the Project Phase of the competition. The written report should describe the mathematical models they created to analyze the data and project future trends.
How do I register my team and submit my report?
First make sure you’re signed up to receive updates through our email newsletter. When the qualification period opens, team registration will also be open. Registration is conducted through the Institute of Competition Sciences’ management platform. When the registration period opens, click the register link on the top menu of this site to find more information about setting up your team. Reports are also submitted through the Institute of Competition Sciences’ management platform. On your team page on the dashboard of the ICS site, you will see a link to upload your qualifying scenario response during the Qualifying Phase. After your team qualifies, you will see a link to upload your report during the Project Phase.
How much does the MTFC cost for teams?
The Actuarial Foundation provides financial support to make the MTFC absolutely free to all participants. The Foundation is supported by generous sponsors and donors to help make this happen. Please check out our sponsor information under the "About" tab of this website.
What can students win?
With $55,000 in college scholarships from The Actuarial Foundation, the MTFC is one of the largest mathematics challenges available to students. In addition to scholarship awards, students selected as finalists will be brought to the Modeling the Future Symposium where they will have one-of-a-kind experiences to meet and learn from actuarial professionals about the career opportunities and benefits of being an actuary. Airfare and lodging will be provided to all students and one coach for each finalist team. Please note that the 2022 Symposium will be held virtually. Team coaches can also earn awards through the Educator/Coach Awards. The coaches of the top 4 teams will each earn a $1,000 grant.
Do students need a teacher to participate?
Every submission needs an official adult “coach” to help guide students through the process and access mentors and other resources. Your coach can be any adult 18+ years old. It could be your parent, after-school club leader, teacher, or any other adult advisor. Your team does not need to be registered through your school, but you may find that your teacher is interested in coaching your team along with others from your school.
What is the Challenge deadline?
There are several milestones that teams must hit throughout the MTFC phases. Visit the "Timeline" page to view all of the deadlines for your team.
How do I learn more about being an actuary?
Actuaries use math, analytical skills, business knowledge and human behavior to manage some of the complex risks facing businesses and our society. For more information on the actuarial profession, please visit www.beanactuary.org
Can students who are US citizens or residents living and attending school outside of the US participate?
Only students who currently reside and go to school in the United States or one of its territories are eligible to win awards from the Modeling the Future Challenge.
Have another question you would like to ask about the challenge topic or content?
Email us at: challenge@mtfchallenge.org
