Book excerpt: Pulling Rabbits Out of Hats: Using Mathematical Modeling in the Material, Biophysical, Fluid Mechanical, and Chemical Sciences focuses on those assumptions made during applied mathematical modeling in which the phenomenological data and the model predictions are self-consistent. This comprehensive reference demonstrates how to employ a variety of mathematical techniques to quantify a number of problems from the material, biophysical, fluid mechanical, and chemical sciences. In doing so, methodology of modelling, analysis, and result generation are all covered. Key Features: Includes examples on such cases as solidification of alloys, chemically-driven convection of dissociating gases, temperature-dependent predator-prey mite systems, multi-layer and two-phase fluid phenomena, viral-target cell interactions, diffusive and gravitational instabilities, and chemical, material science, optical, and ecological Turing patterns. Aims to make the process of quantification of scientific phenomena transparent. Is a hybrid semi-autobiographical account of research results and a monograph on pattern formation. This book is for everyone with an interest in how both scientific contributions are made and mathematical modelling is developed from first principles in STEM fields. For errata, please visit the author's website.