La Huella Ecológica
Desktop application for school kids from 6 to 12
EMPATHY & DEFINITION
Children respond best to colorful, engaging, and entertaining applications
La Huella Ecológica is a desktop app for Uruguayan students (6-12 years old), teaching the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) through interactive games. Designed for classroom use, it allows teachers to track progress and engage students in discussions.
With a strong focus on accessibility, the app adapts to students' age and cognitive level, addressing diverse learning needs. Research shows children learn best through engaging, colorful experiences, yet existing apps often lack visual appeal and storytelling. Insights from teachers and psychologists guided the creation of age-appropriate games that foster critical thinking and hands-on learning, with content tailored for two learning groups (6-9 and 10-12) to ensure an adaptive educational experience.
IDEATION & PROTOTYPE
A personalized experience
The application features Uruguay’s 19 departments, allowing children to explore landmarks and cultural elements while adapting content to their age and cognitive level under teacher guidance.
For ideation, we used brainstorming, mind mapping, and co-design sessions with teachers and students to align features with learning goals. In prototyping, low-fidelity wireframes and interactive paper prototypes tested navigation and game mechanics, while A/B testing and usability studies refined engagement and accessibility.
Students log in via identity card authentication, ensuring a personalized experience without manual data entry. Card sorting revealed younger students (6-9) prefer visual, intuitive interactions, while older students (10-12) are more rational and detail-oriented, shaping a seamless and engaging learning experience.
FINAL NOTES
By using reward-based learning and adaptive content, the app aligns with cognitive development, keeping younger children engaged through visual storytelling and older ones with goal-driven challenges. This project successfully turns sustainability education into an engaging and developmentally appropriate experience.