Be Eco – co-designing a game with children to promote environmental awareness - a Case Study Presented at #CHI4Good 2016

MHCI 2012 Capstone Project - Parque Natural da Madeira - Team Euphorbia

Authors:

Nuno Jardim Nunes, Madeira-ITI, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal

Valentina Nisi, Madeira-ITI, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal

Kara Rennert, Carnegie Mellon University, United States/University of Madeira, Portugal

Collaborative Design, Engagement, Sustainability, Creativity, Digitally mediated Gaming and

Storytelling

In this paper we describe the goals and challenges posed by the development of beEco an

interactive game aiming to increasing environmental awareness. Here we recount the HCI based

process and design strategy for an interactive game aiming at promoting a new and more

positive dialogue between the local population and a Nature Reserve Park. Recognizing the

power of relationships and the creative potential and emotional impact of children, the team

ended up involving local schools in the visual design of the interactive game. Here, we present

and discuss our field research, design decisions and the results from several iterative prototype

testing. We conclude with a discussion about our results compared to the aims of the project.

The project targeted an increase of environmental awareness of the local professionals and the

creation of a new and more positive dialogue between the local population and the Nature Park.