Ward Melville High School Pi Eaters named a Finalist in the 2025-26 Modeling the Future Challenge

Juniors Sarah Wu and Amanda Liang from Ward Melville High School are making their mark on a national stage, earning a Finalist spot in the Modeling the Future Challenge, a rigorous competition that empowers high school students to apply their math skills to the problems shaping our world.

The Modeling the Future Challenge asks students to go beyond the classroom, evaluating real-world data, creating mathematical models, and analyzing risks to come up with actionable recommendations. Finalist teams compile comprehensive reports and deliver presentations on the topic of their choice, ranging from natural disasters to technology to public health.

Through their project, Environmental Co-Exposure on Urban Health: Evidence from New York City, the team Pi Eaters, comprised of juniors Sarah Wu and Amanda Liang, distinguished themselves among competitors nationwide, earning selection as one of three finalist teams representing the New England region.

Their project, Environmental Co-Exposure on Urban Health: Evidence from New York City, aims to explore how daily max temperature and SO₂ were associated with heat related illness in New York City, as well as potential strategies to mitigate these health risks.

As Finalists, Sarah and Amanda will advance in the competition, presenting their findings to a panel of expert judges for the chance to win a share of $55,000 in scholarship prizes. The team is eager to bring their best work to the final stage.

Congratulations to all involved!