Some attempts to revitalize mathematics instruction have emphasized
the importance of modeling phenomena. Work on modeling can be done
from kindergarten through twelth grade (K-12). Modeling involves cycles of
model construction, model evaluation, and model revision. It is central to
professional practice in many disciplines, such as mathematics and science,
but it is largely missing from school instruction. Modeling practices are
ubiquitous and diverse, ranging from the construction of physical models,
such as a planetarium or a model of the human vascular system, to the
development of abstract symbol systems, exemplified by the mathematics of
algebra, geometry, and calculus. The ubiquity and diversity of models in
these disciplines suggest that modeling can help students develop understanding
about a wide range of important ideas. Modeling practices can and
should be fostered at every age and grade level