The documents below have been prepared to help walk coaches through the Contest as well as to help guide their students through the skills needed for success.
Coach's Guide
2026-2027
This guide provides HMP Coaches (teachers, parents – any adult coaching a student through the Contest) with a general overview of the Contest structure, theme, timeline, and resources. It’s the perfect place to get started – then register to access the current Contest problems!
Coach’s Role Overview
What Coaches Can/Can’t Do
A short flier with a concise overview of what an HMP Coach can and can’t do during the HMP Contest. This can be a great resource to post in your classroom when communicating your role with students as they tackle the Contest problems!
HMP Theme Posters
2026-27: Keystone Species
Looking for ways to capture student interest with the 2025-26 HMP Theme on tackling everyday risks to improve community resilience? Check out these posters that can be printed out and posted in a classroom, handed out, or posted in a digital classroom.
HMP Theme Video
Short Intro to 2026-27 Theme
This short video provides students with a peak into the 2026-27 HMP theme: Keystone species! This short teaser video is a great tool to use in a “hook” to introduce students to the HMP. It can be shared as a link in newsletters, added to a digital classroom, or projected in a classroom.
2-Day Challenge 1 Implementation
Optional Lesson Plan
This optional resource provides a suggested structure and lesson plan for new and returning HMP Coaches to orient students to the Contest and implement the current Challenge. Coaches can utilize the plans and activities in this optional lesson plan to introduce their students to the HMP Contest and make a plan to successfully make the HMP an opportunity for all students.
3-Day Challenge 2 Implementation
Optional Lesson Plan
This optional resource provides a suggested structure and lesson plan for new and returning HMP Coaches to orient students to Challenge 2 in the HMP and how to write up their written reasoning for their Challenge 2 submissions. This resource includes orientation to the scoring rubric, practice evaluating their own responses, and a selection of sample student responses to a past problem.
Communicating About Math Activity
Optional Lesson Plan
In a short (optional!) activity lesson plan, HMP Coaches can help students prepare for writing up their mathematical reasoning for Challenge 2. This is a great tool to use if your students don’t have their own devices for utilizing the interactive online Puzzle It Out math practice tool.
Expect the Unexpected with Math
Optional Lesson Plan
Additional free resources, lessons, and interactive real-world math activities for Grades 6-8 from The Actuarial Foundation can be found at unexpectedmath.org. Want a concise summary of what materials and formats are available without combing through the whole site? Check out this summary of the Expect the Unexpected with Math resources to see what would be useful to implement with your students!
3-Day Challenge 2 Implementation
Optional Lesson Plan
This optional resource provides a suggested structure and lesson plan for new and returning HMP Coaches to orient students to Challenge 2 in the HMP and how to write up their written reasoning for their Challenge 2 submissions. This resource includes orientation to the scoring rubric, practice evaluating their own responses, and sample student responses to a past problem.