The place and importance of Mathematics in STEM Education

STEM education has attracted the attention of educators all over the world in recent years. Since the 21st century is an age of information and technology, new career needs arise every day in the business world. These emerging career definitions also change the expectations of the business world from education and training institutions.

Today, individuals should equip themselves in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. To meet this demand of the business world, many educational institutions, especially the Ministry of National Education of the countries, have focused on the STEM education-training approach. The basic philosophy of STEM education is to realize the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics simultaneously and in an interrelated way within the context of education and training activity.

Since ancient civilizations, mathematics has been one of the most important components of education. Although the nature of mathematics knowledge has changed compared to the past, it easily continues this feature today. While theoretical mathematics knowledge was at the forefront in the past, applied mathematics knowledge has become an important need in the fields of engineering, design, finance, informatics, and similar fields today.

Mathematical modeling that can be applied to problems is very important for STEM. Students grow up as individuals who can produce solutions to real-life problems. They have the equipment required by them and the age of technology.