PROCEEDINGS OF THE 23RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2020
Boston, Massachusetts
Mathematical modeling competitions from the participants’ perspective
Page: 1111
This study is a post-hoc analysis of pre and post survey data from two rounds of a mathematical modeling competition comprised of high school and undergraduate participants (n=107). The purpose of this study is to describe the expectations participants held going into the competition and compare them to those held by researchers and designers of modeling competitions. Additionally, this study examines participants’ satisfaction with the competition. Results showed that participants, researchers, and designers held differing expectations. Participants expected to gain more practical experience but afterward reported gaining practical experience and soft skills. Lastly, participants tended to gain what they expected from the competition; those who felt their expectations were not met would not recommend the competition to others (regardless of what their initial expectations were)