Abstract
Although mathematical modelling and STEM education have different origins and research agendas, there is emerging interest in connections and overlaps between the two fields. We explore the nature of these relationships, focusing on (1) how interdisciplinarity is realised in each field (2) connections between modelling, STEM, and mathematics learning (3) characteristics of good STEM and modelling tasks. Rather than unambiguously defining how the two fields relate to each other, we suggest that progress in each could be encouraged by communication and sharing of ideas between their respective research communities.