The purpose of this study is making a theoretical discussion on the relationship between mathematical modeling and integrated STEM education. First of all, STEM education perspective and the construct of mathematical modeling in mathematics education is introduced. A review of literature is provided on how mathematical modeling literature may contribute to theoretical conceptualization of STEM education by specifically addressing the professional competencies that teachers need. The discussion followed on how mathematical modeling activities and project-based learning contexts contribute to integrated STEM education by providing two research-based experiences, one of which is the model rocketry project carried out by pre-service physics teachers and the other one of which is a mathematical modeling activity solved by pre-service mathematics teachers.

Mathematical modeling and its role in mathematics education have been receiving increasing attention in Turkey, as in many other countries. The growing body of literature on this topic reveals a variety of approaches to mathematical modeling and related concepts, along with differing perspectives on the use of mathematical modeling in teaching and learning mathematics in terms of definitions of models and modeling, the theoretical backgrounds of modeling, and the nature of questions used in teaching modeling. This study focuses on two issues. The first section attempts to develop a unified perspective about mathematical modeling. The second section analyzes and discusses two approaches to the use of modeling in mathematics education, namely modeling as a means of teaching mathematics and modeling as an aim of teaching mathematics.

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