Created: 2026.08.24. 15:01
A thesis by a student studying to become a primary school teacher at Széchenyi István University has resulted in a board game designed to support the development of logical thinking and problem-solving skills through play. School of Mysteries, a cooperative escape-room-style card game, currently exists as a prototype and is undergoing testing, while its creators are exploring the possibility of introducing it to the market in the future.
At the Apáczai Csere János Faculty of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences at Széchenyi István University, increasing emphasis is being placed on modern teaching methodologies, project-based learning and gamification. It was in this spirit that School of Mysteries was created, making the learning of mathematics a more engaging experience while developing logical thinking and problem-solving skills. The story-driven game, which is built around decision-making situations, is recommended for children aged nine and over, while also offering exciting challenges for older age groups.
The idea for the board game emerged in the thesis of Bere Andrea, who graduated from the Faculty’s primary school teacher education programme and currently works as a teacher. Her research focused on exploring the possibilities of project-based teaching in mathematics lessons.
“Our aim was to make this subject more accessible to children and show them that logical tasks can also be exciting. We drew inspiration from the world of escape rooms, which we combined with pedagogical tools. One of the special features of the game is that my family also played a part in its creation. My daughter, who is a graphic designer, designed its visual appearance, while my other daughter, who trained as a game designer in Sweden, contributed to the development of the gameplay and rules. In this way, the concept evolved into a finished product by bringing together expertise from several different fields,” said Bere Andrea.
Petzné dr. Tóth Szilvia, Head of the Department of Subject Methodology at Széchenyi István University, and teacher Bere Andrea, creator of the board game School of Mysteries, with the game’s prototype. (Photo: Adorján András)
The work was supported by Petzné dr. Tóth Szilvia, Head of the Department of Subject Methodology, who served as the thesis supervisor. “ The cooperative card game is not based on competition, but on solving problems together. Participants progress by solving various puzzles and tasks, while also developing their ability to cooperate, creativity and logical thinking. The developers also made sure that the game can be replayed and continued on multiple occasions, making it flexible enough to be incorporated into the educational process or enjoyed at home as a leisure activity,” she explained.
A wide range of schools, professionals and university students were involved in the testing phase, with particularly encouraging results. According to the feedback and experience gained during testing, the game also had a positive impact on the development of the problem-solving skills of students with special educational needs, as well as those experiencing difficulties with integration, learning or behaviour, while allowing children to consolidate their knowledge in an enjoyable way. The game was also well received by teachers, who found that it could be used effectively both in developmental activities and in talent development programmes.
The School of Mysteries was officially accepted by Széchenyi István University as an intellectual creation in 2025 and is currently at the practical testing stage. With the involvement of the University’s commercialisation company, Uni Inno Zrt., 15 test copies have been produced to assess the game’s functionality, print production and user experience. The aim is to create a final version that could subsequently be brought to market.
“We collect all feedback, whether it concerns the gameplay, the quality of the cards or even smaller details that need improvement. Based on this feedback, we refine the product to ensure that it works well in practice and is truly marketable,” pointed out Vági Kornél, Member of the Board of Directors of Uni Inno Zrt.
The creators are already planning the next steps. In the future, additional packs covering new areas of mathematics could be developed, and in the longer term, a digital version of the game could also be created. This could ultimately provide the foundation for a comprehensive educational game series.
