This paper reports a study of 10 post-secondary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) instructors' beliefs about mathematical modelling and the role of mathematics in STEM coursework. The participants were selected from STEM disciplines that are atypical to the literature base (e.g. anthropology and geography), in order to extend…

In this paper, we draw on recent research on so-called Fermi problems and situate the fundamental principles underlying this type of tasks and their use from a task design perspective. We use the models and modelling perspective on teaching and learning to elaborate on aspects related to the design of single-use, as well as sequences of, Fermi…

Considering the interdisciplinary nature of the sustainable development concept, this study aims to investigate the effect of a cross-curricular mathematical modeling course on pre-service teachers' sustainable development attitudes and mathematical modeling self-efficacies and to investigate their opinions about the course. The sample for this…

Physics and mathematics represent closely intertwined fields, wherein physicists employ mathematical modeling to address intricate problems. A challenge encountered by physicists involves bridging conceptual understanding with mathematical equations, a task that educators can facilitate by supporting students in navigating these two realms of…

This study elaborates on the pivotal roles of mathematical and statistical models in data-driven predictions in an integrated STEM context using the case of Year 4 students: (?) "a descriptive means" to describe the features of trends and variability of data and (?) "an explanatory means" to explain causal relationships behind…

To successfully solve the complex challenges facing us in the 21st century, people with expertise in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields and other fields are needed, especially for their interdisciplinary way of thinking and working. These competencies should be learned in school, which first implies teacher…

In the paper, the authors propose a variant of the mathematical model for justifying the optimal ratio of researchers of different categories to conduct scientific research of the highest possible quality in conditions of limited resources. The discrepancy is formulated between the quality of scientific research and the restriction on financial…

This study focuses on the potential of university mathematics courses to advance teachers' knowledge regarding an important component of knowledge about the nature of mathematics as a scientific discipline, namely the mutual contribution between mathematics and various fields: mathematics contributes to solving problems in different fields, and…

Advances in graphing technologies and learning sciences pedagogy have the potential to equitably support students when exploring complex systems depicting dynamic relationships across multiple disciplinary topics in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). We report on the cumulative impact of science units designed in a Research…

Since contemporary learning theories, strategies and models offer the interdisciplinary approach, educators need new pedagogical alternative ways to attain it in practicum. For this reason, the current research aimed to illustrate how to intertwine mathematical modeling with an environmental issue that recruits waste management (e.g.,…

It is well-known that the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model has a family of periodic orbits, but does not possess limit cycles and therefore the model is said to be structurally unstable. The Lotka-Volterra model is a special case of a much larger group namely the quadratic population models and it can be shown that none of them can produce limit…

This article proposes an interconnected framework, "Ways of thinking in STEM-based Problem Solving," which addresses cognitive processes that facilitate learning, problem solving, and interdisciplinary concept development. The framework comprises critical thinking, incorporating critical mathematical modelling and philosophical inquiry,…

This study investigated sixth-grade students' development of multidisciplinary models involving the integration of mathematics, science, and statistics, together with shared STEM practices. Mathematics and science featured a reciprocal relationship within the real-world context of tsunami inundation. Experimenting with water tubs comprising…

This study was conducted to examine the effect of mathematical modelling activities on the mathematical modelling skills of secondary school students in the context of STEM education. The study was designed according to the embedded design, one of the mixed research methods. The study group of research consists of 66 eighth-grade students studying…

This paper presents the results of a literature review focusing on the use and potential of Fermi problems (FPs) in the STEM disciplines. We identify different usages and roles given to FPs in each of the STEM disciplines and highlight their potential to promote modeling of real phenomena and situations as well as learning about the estimation of…