Globular cluster formation is a major unsolved problem in astrophysics. The latest constraints tothe problem have come from puzzling abundance variations of light-elements among their stars. The pursuitto explain this longstanding problem using these chemical signatures has reinvigorated the study of globularclusters, and at the same time has challenged our understanding of nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution. Forthis talk, I will start with an overview of the challenges facing current models of globular cluster formation.Then I will present the steps being taken to build the next generation of globular cluster formation modelsand discuss how we can use the properties of globular cluster to trace the build-up of galaxies.