Abstract:

The use of logical-deductive challenges has, in recent years, increased a lot in the most varied aspects, including in the professional and social domains. Currently, large companies use challenges in their recruitment processes because these seem to be an efficient and objective tool to assess skills, identify talent, save time, promote the company's brand and differentiate candidates. However, its use has gone further, with the incorporation of challenges as a way to develop skills in its employees, as well as stimulate creativity and innovation, adding the fact that these challenges can also help to foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork within a company.

In this sense, the need was felt to offer analogous experiences in the academic environment, with the specific goal to develop and promote diversified skills in students in a Higher Education Institution (HEI). A training course was settled within the scope of the MatActiva Project - Promotion of learning in Mathematics – a Project from the Porto Accounting and Business School (ISCAP/P.PORTO) connected with the STEAM Youth Impulse Program of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).

The main objective of the activity/course here described is to provide ISCAP students with a set of skills that favor their integration and success. It is intended, through distinct and innovative pedagogical practices as well as active learning methodologies, to reinforce their initial higher education, presenting challenges that aim to be a complement in Mathematics, in order to strengthen and develop skills such as logical and critical thinking, cooperation, communication, resilience, creativity and autonomy. Overall, challenges seem to be a great way to help students develop a wide range of skills that will be extremely valuable both personally and professionally.

Keywords:

Mathematics Learning, Higher Education, Logical-deductive Problems, Critical Thinking.