Gamification and Environmental Education: Impact on Solid Waste Management in Basic Education

Solid waste management represents a critical socio-environmental challenge that requires the implementation of innovative pedagogical strategies from the early stages of schooling. This study analyzed the impact of a gamified didactic intervention on the ecological behavior of fifth-grade students in an Ecuadorian educational institution. The research followed a quantitative approach and a quasi-experimental design with repeated measures, utilizing a structured questionnaire that assessed cognitive, attitudinal, and procedural dimensions. The intervention integrated game mechanics and dynamics, such as challenges, immediate feedback, and reward systems, aimed at transforming waste management into a habitual, daily, and meaningful practice. Results revealed statistically significant differences when comparing ecological performance levels between the initial diagnosis, traditional instruction, and the gamified intervention phase. These findings confirm that gamification acts as an effective catalyst for cognitive and behavioral transfer, significantly outperforming traditional expository models by promoting a superior internalization of sustainable habits. It is concluded that the implementation of such gamified environments as cross-cutting themes in school environmental projects is essential to strengthen an early ecological culture, effectively closing the gap between theoretical knowledge and pro-environmental behavior. This research provides empirical evidence regarding the efficacy of techno-pedagogical tools for fostering citizenship education in sustainability within the scope of Basic Education.