Ecoaventuras: El reto del reciclaje en plástico

Abstract

This project arose from the need to implement interactive technological tools that would strengthen environmental education in Ecuador, where waste management continued a cultural and educational challenge. The main objective was to develop "EcoAdventures," a 3D first-person video game designed in Unity, aimed at raising students' awareness of proper waste sorting through an immersive and engaging experience. A qualitative, applied methodology focused on video game software development was employed, which included the design of progressive levels (Home, Park, and School), the modeling of low-poly (low polygonization) assets for performance optimization, and the programming of interaction mechanics in C#. The game system integrated Ecuador's technical color-coding system for recycling: blue (plastics), green (organics), and black (general waste). The result was a functional prototype with three narrative levels. The pedagogical and technical effectiveness of the product was validated through an interview with an environmental engineering expert and evaluation sessions with elementary school teachers, who confirmed the resource's suitability for the proposed educational level. It was concluded that the first-person perspective and the gamification of everyday environments facilitated the retention of practical knowledge about sustainability. Consequently, "EcoAdventures" emerged as an innovative educational tool capable of transforming traditional environmental teaching into a participatory and contextualized experience.