Addressing sustainability: Modelling to enhance participation as a global citizen

The term “wicked problem” has been coined to describe real-world problems that feature non-linearity and simultaneity among model equations, making simulation the only approach to solution. Such was the 2019 problem set by the international mathematical modelling challenge. This problem involved estimating the carrying capacity of earth, and no student team from any country was successful. The paper addresses <i>sustainability</i> issues within the problem through a modelling approach that can be completed successfully using recently available free on-line software. The software is designed to be equally accessible to modelling professionals, and students from senior high school and beyond. A purpose is to introduce and apply a methodology by providing detail sufficient for interested readers to engage with the thinking, re-create the model, and gain expertise with the approach if that is their wish. It finally provides examples of other ‘wicked’ problems that have been addressed successfully by secondary students.