The Importance of Mathematical Models to Scientific Discovery: A Case Study on the Feeding Mechanism of the Goliath Grouper "Epinephelus itajara"

Autor/inn/en	Huber, Daniel; Jones, Leslie; Helminski, Christine
Titel	The Importance of Mathematical Models to Scientific Discovery: A Case Study on the Feeding Mechanism of the Goliath Grouper "Epinephelus itajara"
Quelle	In: Australian Mathematics Teacher, 71 (2015) 3, S.24-29 (6 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0045-0685
Schlagwörter	Problem Solving; Mathematics; Mathematics Education; Mathematical Models; Scientific Concepts; Professional Personnel; Scientists; Interdisciplinary Approach; Geometry; Teaching Methods; Science Education; Correlation; Geometric Concepts; Team Teaching; Motion; Measurement; Computation; Animals; Mathematics Instruction; Ichthyology + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Problemlösen; Mathematik; Mathematische Bildung; Mathematical model; Mathematisches Modell; Personalbestand; Scientist; Wissenschaftler; Fächerübergreifender Unterricht; Fächerverbindender Unterricht; Interdisziplinarität; Geometrie; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Naturwissenschaftliche Bildung; Korrelation; Elementare Geometrie; Teamteaching; Bewegungsablauf; Messverfahren; Animal; Tier; Tiere; Mathematics lessons; Mathematikunterricht
Abstract	The use of collaborative problem solving within mathematics education is imperative in this day and age of integrative science. The formation of interdisciplinary teams of mathematicians and scientists to investigate crucial problems is on the rise, as greater insight can be gained from an interdisciplinary perspective. Mathematical modelling, in particular, is increasingly recognised as a fundamental tool in understanding scientific phenomena, with models utilising mathematical disciplines ranging from statistics to differential equations. Geometry is an effective tool in biomechanical modelling, and one that has been used to develop a series of lessons regarding the functional importance of mathematics in nature. In this article, the authors present a lesson in which geometry is used to model the suction feeding mechanism of the Goliath Grouper, and the consequences of geometric variability for organismal performance are explored. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT). GPO Box 1729, Adelaide 5001, South Australia. Tel: +61-8-8363-0288; Fax: +61-8-8362-9288; e-mail: office@aamt.edu.au; Web site: http://www.aamt.edu.au
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2022/4/11