Active methodologies for entrepreneurial education

experiences with the Ideathon and the Castle Game promoted by a public higher education institution

Abstract

In recent years, the importance of entrepreneurial education has gained prominence in universities as a way of better preparing students to face the challenges of the labor market. The proposal of this article is based on the understanding that entrepreneurial education goes beyond the creation of businesses, as it promotes the development of competencies such as creativity, resilience, teamwork, and adaptability to change—skills that are essential in the context of ongoing transformations in the world of work. This article aims to present and analyze, among the methodologies adopted by the institution, entrepreneurial education practices developed by a public higher education institution. Specifically, it reports on two approaches: the Ideathon, a problem-solving methodology, and the “Castle Game,” a serious games methodology—both applied to strengthen the entrepreneurial culture among higher education students. Using the experience report method, the study describes, substantiates, and analyzes the implementation of these activities at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), through the initiatives of the Dean’s Office for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PROINOVA). The results demonstrate that both methodologies were effective in fostering student protagonism and expanding engagement with the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Ideathon mobilized hundreds of students around the generation and validation of business ideas, while the Castle Game supported the development of behavioral skills through playfulness and the simulation of real-world challenges. It is concluded that such practices significantly contribute to consolidating an entrepreneurial culture within the university environment, aligned with institutional guidelines and public innovation policies.