THE SCIENCE OF TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A DIDACTIC RESOURCE FOR AUTONOMY IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Abstract

This article presents an investigation into the development and validation of structured didactic material for teaching entrepreneurship in lower secondary education, with an emphasis on a critical, interdisciplinary, and contextualized approach. Based on the recognition of the gap between the recommendations of the Brazilian National Common Curricular Base (BNCC) and the resources available in public schools, a field study was conducted using a qualitative methodology, incorporating sensory ethnography and shadowing in a school institution in Northeast Brazil. The developed material integrates five structural axes (entrepreneurship as a way of life, motivation and creativity, strategic planning, financial education, and socio-emotional development), articulated through an illustrated textbook, a workbook, and supplementary resources (educational games and gamification). Validation took place between February and December 2023 with six teachers and 48 students, revealing a significant impact on engagement, autonomy, and the development of socio-emotional competencies. The results show that entrepreneurship, when treated as an integrated formative practice rather than a punctual tool, enhances students' holistic and critical education. It is concluded that the proposal is viable, replicable, and contributes to filling gaps in pedagogical policies for entrepreneurship education in basic education.