Digital Games in Mathematics Education: An Extension Experience in Public Schools

Uma Experiência Extensionista em Escolas Públicas

Abstract

The Cateto Fantástico project is an extension initiative developed by Computer Engineering students from IFSULDEMINAS – Poços de Caldas Campus, aiming to reduce learning gaps in basic mathematics within public elementary schools in the municipality. The project is grounded in the understanding of university extension as a fundamental pillar of higher education, fostering dialogue between academic knowledge and social demands. By developing an educational digital game, the initiative promotes integration between the university and the local community while providing students with a broader, ethically driven, and socially engaged education. This article discusses the importance of extension activities as tools for social transformation and analyzes, in light of the structural challenges of basic education in Brazil, the potential of technology as an innovative pedagogical resource for mathematics teaching.