Registration is now open for the 2023-24 Modeling the Future Challenge (MTFC), and we can’t wait to give prospective participants a memorable send-off during the Virtual Scenario Phase Workshop! This live event features a special collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help introduce participants to the challenges we face with disaster resilience and risk mitigation.

It seems like every day we hear about a new disaster and learn more about how climate change is exacerbating the risks they pose. From wildfires, to hurricanes and floods, natural disasters can affect anyone and are becoming a bigger risk as people move to more disaster prone regions. For this year’s MTFC, a new collaboration with FEMA will help introduce students to disaster risk mitigation and will help them understand how to go about analyzing potential solutions to improve our disaster resilience.

During the Scenario Phase Workshop, special guest speaker, Casey Zuzak, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will share exciting developments surrounding the National Risk Index and will share his thoughts on how it can be leveraged by MTFC participants to create award-worthy final projects.

Mark your calendars for September 13, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Eastern time, as we dive into an exciting live event that promises to be both informative and inspiring.

 

The Scenario Phase

The Scenario Phase is the first phase of the Modeling the Future Challenge, where participants are introduced to new concepts in actuarial science and data analysis that will be pivotal once they move on to tackle their projects. The Scenario Phase Workshop will equip future competitors and their teachers or team coaches with the knowledge and tools they need to excel.

 

What to Expect at the Event:

1. Exploring the Scenario Structure

Our event will kick off with an exploration of the structure of the Challenge. You’ll gain insight into the Mission prompts and the challenges you’ll face as you enter the Scenario Phase.

2. Proposal Workshop

The MTFC follows an open theme, which means students get to choose their project topics to learn more about issues that interest them and have a sense of agency over their work throughout the Challenge process. During the Proposal Workshop, students will receive guidance on how to choose the best topic for their team. Attendees will leave with valuable tips and resources to navigate the complexities of the MTFC.

3. Guest Speaker: Casey Zuzak

We are honored to welcome Casey Zuzak as our guest speaker for this workshop! Casey is a Senior Risk Analyst for the Natural Hazards Risk Assessment Program in the Risk Management Directorate at FEMA. He also serves as the Lead for the National Risk Index (NRI), a vital tool for understanding and assessing risk in the United States. Casey has worked for FEMA since 2011 and has a M.S. in Geography from the University of South Carolina.

Casey’s expertise in risk analysis makes him a valuable source of knowledge and inspiration for all participants. He will share his insights about the use of mathematical modeling in addressing real-world challenges, as well as the critical role it plays in risk assessment and mitigation.

Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to learn how the NRI could aid them in their MTFC projects, as well as how it is being used by other organizations to determine risk in our day-to-day lives.

 

How to Join:

Sign up for free to participate in the Modeling the Future Challenge Virtual Scenario workshop! The MTFC is a completely free, scholarship-awarded competition open to all U.S. high school students currently enrolled in Junior or Senior-level mathematics or computer science courses, such as calculus, pre-calculus, statistics, probability, or others. Teams must have an adult coach to participate, but it does not have to be a teacher. Private school students, homeschooled students, and after-school or outside groups are all welcome to compete.

Teachers, students, and parents are all invited and encouraged to attend! Register for the event here: https://www.mtfchallenge.org/all-events/

Don’t miss this chance to prepare yourself and your team for success in the Challenge. Join us on September 13, 2023, to kickstart your Modeling the Future Challenge journey! We hope you’ll be able to tune in.

Learn more about the Challenge, or register your team today: https://www.mtfchallenge.org/