Four Big Ideas of Mathematical Modeling
0Day 1 | 2:00 PM–2:30 PM
"Four Big Ideas of Mathematical Modeling"
Presented by:
Elizabeth Arnold, Montana State University, Bozeman MT USA
https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/simiode/expo/2025
Abstract: As we think about our role in education, we take to heart our responsibility to use education to leave the world better than we found it. In our work, we have come to realize that mathematical modeling inherently provides opportunities for access, equity, and empowerment for every student, and we see in teaching mathematical modeling the opportunity to teach problem solving and empathetic critical thinking skills. Modeling is a way for students to use their mathematical skills in examining different solutions to authentic problems based on different perspectives. When students model, they bring their individual knowledge, experiences, and perspectives to understand a problem and inform their solution strategy. Thus, it is likely that the modeling process will unfold in different ways for different modelers and for different problems. To help navigate this complexity, we ground our conceptualization of modeling in four big ideas that underpin the classroom practice of mathematical modeling. In this session, I will discuss these four big ideas and share examples of how they play out in classroom settings, focusing on how empathy, as a practice, can and should be cultivated in students’ mathematical modeling.