Play for the Planet: Board games as instruments to teach sustainability

<< Background >>We applied for this project to address the urgent need for sustainable plastic waste management, which became particularly critical during the covid-19 pandemic as environmental health issues were deprioritized. The pandemic highlighted the excessive use of single-use plastics, posing significant risks to ecosystems and public health. Recognizing that educational intervention is key to fostering long-term sustainable behaviors, we focused on primary school pupils and their teachers. Our project targeted teachers as the main drivers of change and pupils aged 6-12, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to develop green skills through game-based learning. We created educational resources, including a board game and a multimedia game, to raise awareness and promote sustainable habits. Aligning with several sdgs, we provided classroom-ready tools to facilitate environmental education. Needs analyses through surveys, interviews, and quality assessments identified a gap in effective educational resources on sustainability. By addressing these needs, we aimed to instill critical thinking and proactive environmental behaviors in the next generation, ensuring a lasting positive impact on ecological issues.<< Objectives >>By implementing the project, we aimed to achieve several key objectives. - We created three educational resources: a board game, a multimedia game, and a training plan, all designed to tackle environmental sustainability. - We successfully trained 40 teachers on applying game-based learning to teach serious topics in an engaging manner. - Through these innovative methods, we fostered the development of green skills in 200 pupils, ensuring they understood and could act on environmental issues. - Additionally, we raised awareness among education professionals and young pupils about the critical state of our planet and the importance of taking proper action to protect it. These achievements ensured a lasting positive impact on environmental education and sustainability awareness.<< Implementation >>We implemented a series of activities to ensure its successful completion. We managed the project daily and held monthly online meetings for effective coordination. Quality control was maintained throughout to ensure high standards. We engaged in extensive sharing and promotion activities, creating content for partners' websites, social media, newsletters, and articles to raise awareness and disseminate information.We organized 6 multiplier events in Spain (2), Malta, Turkey (2), and Greece, to showcase our progress and results. Three transnational meetings were held in Spain, Turkey, and Greece to facilitate collaboration and strategic planning among partners.We designed a board game and a multimedia game, focusing on environmental sustainability. We also developed a comprehensive training plan and successfully trained 40 teachers on game-based learning methodologies. These teachers then piloted the games with their students, gathering valuable feedback.The results allowed us to analyze data, assess the impact, and refine the educational tools. These activities fostered green skills in 200 pupils and raised awareness about environmental issues among education professionals and young learners, ensuring a positive impact.<< Results >>The concrete outputs and results of our project were both tangible and intangible. Tangible outputs included the development of a board game and a multimedia game, both designed to teach environmental sustainability through engaging, game-based learning. We also produced a comprehensive guide containing a training and piloting plan, feedback and evaluation questionnaires, and an impact and feedback report. Additionally, we created various promotional materials such as newsletters, infographics, and articles to disseminate our findings and raise awareness.On the intangible side, we successfully trained 40 teachers, enhancing their skills and knowledge in applying game-based learning and gamification to teach serious topics. Through these innovative educational methods, 200 pupils developed their green skills, becoming more environmentally conscious and proactive in their daily lives. As a result of the project, both teachers and pupils became more aware of the dangers posed by single-use plastics to the environment, fostering a culture of sustainability and ecological responsibility within the educational community.