Date of Award

6-6-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2025

Department

Computer Science and Engineering

First Advisor

Sharon Hsiao

Abstract

This project for Santa Clara University School of Engineering’s annual Senior Design, Litter-acy, addresses the critical societal issue of improper waste management and the lack of public knowledge regarding proper sorting techniques. These contribute significantly to environmental pollution and deterioration. Through recognizing how traditional educational methods often fail to engage younger audiences and combat the ”adolescent dip” in sustainability interest, Litter-acy proposes an innovative solution: an iOS mobile application that gamifies waste management education.

The app features multiple interactive mini-games focused on sustainable waste sorting, including Connections, Catcher, and Trivia, designed to make learning engaging and accessible. It incorporates key features such as an extensive item bank, detailed tutorials for each game, and provides educational feedback during gameplay. To enhance user engagement and retention, the app includes social features such as global and friend leaderboards for social competition and an adding friends system for community building among users. External educational resources like articles and videos are also built in and available within the app. The project also involved user research and testing, coupled with adherence to Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, to inform design plans and allow focus on usability and accessibility.

Litter-acy aims to educate and inspire real-life changes in users’ daily routines, empower communities, and contribute to a sustainable future by transforming waste management learning into a fun and motivating activity.

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