Mathematical Modeling: Reimagined, Revitalized, Always Relevant

COMAP invites educators to help refresh and modernize our rich library of mathematical modeling resources. Mathematics education is evolving, and what was relevant a decade ago may no longer engage today’s diverse students. The Refresh for Relevance Challenge is an opportunity to revamp classic COMAP materials to align with contemporary classrooms, new technology, and current best practices.

What Does "Refresh" Mean?

You can refresh a module or resource in multiple ways:

• Updating real-world contexts to make them more relevant
• Enhancing the mathematical modeling aspect
• Promoting inclusive practices and supporting diversity in mathematics
• Connecting problems to new public data sets
• Linking mathematical concepts to contemporary research
• Incorporating technology and AI tools for enhanced learning
• Reimagining the pedagogy to align with best practices and relevant contemporary standards
• Adapting materials for use in modern learning environments (e.g., LMS, interactive tools, etc.)

Why Participate?

• A free COMAP membership
• All complete submissions will be entered in drawings for gift cards
• Authors of outstanding work can earn stipends ranging up from $250 through grants to attend a math education conference
• Get featured in a COMAP blog post
• Publish your work!
• Be considered for grants to continue revising more resources
• Make a real impact by shaping the future of math education

How It Works

1. Choose a resource. Select a COMAP module or curricular resource to refresh. It could be anything you’re familiar with or encounter while exploring our library. Here are some examples of modules that are ready for a refresh:
   • Elementary school modules
     • Making Sense of the Census
     • Rake it or Leave it
     • The Ravenous Bear
   • Middle school modules
     • Algebra: Language for a Changing World: Unit 1 Variables
     • ResourceMAP Modules (one example): Basic Probability
   • High school modules
     • Life in the Fast Line: A Modeling Problem from the Grocery Store
     • I Will if You Will
     • A Lifetime of Automobile Expenses
   • College modules
     
     • Liouville's Theorem in Dynamics
     • Time Resources in Animals
     • Using Original Sources to Teach the Logistic Equation
   • Access the full COMAP library with a COMAP Refresh Challenge Membership by signing up through the form on this page. Choose any resource you find to R4R. 
     

1.  
2. Update the resource. Make your updates to improve relevance and effectiveness!
3. Send us your updates. Submit your refreshed resource for review (submission details will be provided after you register).
4. We'll review. COMAP will assess submissions and recognize the most valuable work.

All selected materials will be freely distributed, crediting both the original author and the person or team who refreshed it. Top contributors may be invited to work on additional projects through the Solomon Garfunkel Legacy Fund.

A good submission will be complete and teacher-ready for use with their students. Include the standard elements of a lesson plan, such as, and as appropriate:

• topic
• unit or lesson summary
• grade or subject and any prerequisites
• most relevant standards & practices (e.g., NCTM, CCSS, etc.)
• timing/pacing of the lesson(s)
• teacher notes
• resources/instructional materials (for example and as applicable: student ready handouts, readings, presentation slides, videos, assessments, etc.)
• references for teacher
• reflections on your classroom use (if available)
• acknowledgements, references, and permissions for any copyrighted materials
• etc. (as applicable)