Four Connetquot High School students displayed their excellence in mathematics as they recently competed against a number of fellow juniors and seniors in the nationwide MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge. 

The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge, or, M3 Challenge as it’s alternatively known, spotlights applied mathematics as a powerful problem-solving tool and as a viable, exciting profession. The Challenge is to work on a real-world problem and submit a solution paper, within a 14-hour window during a weekend which took place this past March. 

The students’ faculty sponsor, Christopher Dolce, declared that the four student-participants – Dimitri Cavanagh, Justin Rosado, Aiden Spicciatie and Joe Vita – were entirely self-motivated, and, even though they did not win the $100,000 top prize, their submission was highly competitive and was complimented by the judges.

According to their official website, the M3 Challenge allows students experience what it’s like to work as a team to tackle a real-world problem under time and resource constraints, akin to those faced by professional mathematicians working in industry.