Blaine Goscha on Bethel University's Winning Math Team

SAINT PAUL, MN (05/14/2012)(readMedia)-- Bethel University's Math Team, including member Blaine Goscha, son of the Rev. Deinna Goscha and Don Goscha of Elk River, Minn., was recently awarded the designation of "Outstanding Winner" in this year's COMAP Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM), making it one of the top 10 teams in the prestigious international competition. A total of 3,697 teams from 17 countries competed.

During the competition, teams of up to three students were presented with one of two open-ended modeling problems that needed to be researched, modeled, and answered. The contest questions do not have an answer key; judges are looking to see how the students choose to answer a real life problem that does not have a pre-existing solution.

"The MCM requires a lot out of student competitors, says team advisor Nathan Gossett, assistant professor of mathematics and computer science. "The topics are not known prior to the start, so students have very little time to become experts in a new topic in order to even start answering the question. They also have to be excellent in a variety of disciplines, from math and computer science to communication and writing, since they have only four days to produce a well-written and edited paper that can be 20 to 30 pages long."

The Bethel team's problem presented them with the idea that river managers at the Big Long River, a popular rafting destination, were trying to determine the best way to increase the number of trips available. The team was asked to consider trips of varying durations as well as the type of raft used, ultimately answering the question: "How many more boat trips could be added to the Big Long River's rafting season?" The problem required them to advise the river managers on the development of a new schedule as well as procedures that could be used to determine the carrying capacity of the river.

The team presented their findings in an overall summary paper as well as a memo to the managers of Big Long River describing key conclusions. After evaluation, they were awarded "Outstanding Winner," making them one of the top 10 teams, all of which will be featured in "The UMAP Journal."

In the past 12 years, this is the third time Bethel has been awarded this top honor, receiving "Outstanding Winner" designations in 2001 and 2002 as well.

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,600 students from 48 states and 25 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minn., with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel offers rigorous bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 relevant fields. For further information on Bethel University, go to www.bethel.edu.