The Operations Research Challenge (TORCH) is a one-day contest where teams of 3 to 4 High School or CÉGEP students solve 5 to 10 problems related to different application areas of operations research. An article recently featured in INFORMS ORMS Today magazine, Innovative Education: Sparking the O.R. flame in high schools, provides more information about our goals and ambitions
No previous knowledge of operations research is required, but we recommend you check out the Study Resources page for examples of problems you could be asked to solve during the contest.
Details and Rules
The competition will take place in March 2020. Details to be announced in Fall 2019.In order to ensure the best working environment for the participants of the event, parents and teachers are not allowed to view the competition while it is in progress. Teachers and parents are welcome to attend the awards ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 5:30 PM; however, seats at the awards ceremony will be limited.
We will post a contact phone number on the Contact page so that parents/teachers can contact us at any time throughout the day if necessary. There will be signs posted directing people to the event.
Please note that solutions will not be provided.
Tentative Schedule (all locations)
9:00–9:45 | Registration |
9:45–10:15 | Introduction and Mingling |
10:15–12:30 | Competition Part I |
12:30–13:00 | Lunch |
13:00–15:30 | Competition Part II |
15:30–16:00 | Break (refreshments) |
16:00–17:00 | “Introduction to Operations Research” – Speaker Series |
17:00–17:30 | “Operations Research Highlights and Student Life Panel” |
17:30–18:00 (approx.) | Awards Ceremony |
Prizes
Prizes for 2020 to be announced in early 2020. The 2019 prizes were as follows.Toronto:
First place gets first choice; second place gets second choice; and third place gets third choice of:
- DEEP engineering camp tuition for 1-week for team members (valued at $450 each!)
- Spend a day with UofT Engineers! Breakfast and lunch covered, tour of the campus
- UofT Bookstore Gift Cards
- 1st place team: $500
- 2nd place team: $300
- 3rd place team: $200
- 1st place team: $500
- 2nd place team: $300
- 3rd place team: $200