2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The integration of Entrepreneurial Mindset (EM) into formal learning spaces, as defined by the Kern Family Foundation Engineering Entrepreneurial Network (KEEN), has been well documented in the scholarly literature. However, its use in informal learning spaces, such as hackathons and makeathons, remains limited. These are high-impact informal learning environments that foster innovation, collaboration, and rapid problem-solving among engineering students. To address the gap, an informal learning program at a large, Midwestern, research-based institution in the United States implemented a series of EM-based interventions across multiple hackathon and makeathon events. These interventions included the development of an EM-aligned competition rubric, supporting materials and training, and a capstone track to link formal and informal learning. These implementation efforts were captured in detail in a previous publication. This work-in-progress paper builds on the results of the prior publication, continues the mixed-method study, scheduled for completion in summer 2026, and captures important adjustments implemented based on earlier feedback. This work, which explores hackathons as a potential exemplar for cultivating EM, could ultimately serve as a model for how informal learning spaces can enhance student engagement and reinforce learning objectives related to an entrepreneurial mindset.