Bio-Arte Yantzaza: Creative Recycling and Environmental Learning, an Educational Experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64747/htkvks14Keywords:
environmental education, creative recycling, cultural identity, Ecuadorian Amazon, educational artAbstract
The project Bio-Arte Yantzaza: Creative Recycling and Environmental Learning, an Educational Experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon aimed to analyze the impact of integrating paper recycling practices and the use of natural pigments on strengthening environmental awareness and cultural identity among middle and high school students. The research was conducted in educational institutions in Yantzaza, Zamora Chinchipe Province, Ecuador, between May and July 2025. A qualitative methodology with an ethnographic and participatory approach was applied. Data were collected through direct observation, semi-structured interviews, content analysis of artistic works, and audiovisual records. The results showed that the production of recycled handmade paper and its subsequent use as a pictorial medium promoted meaningful learning, pro-environmental attitudes, and a stronger sense of belonging to the Amazonian environment. In addition, the use of natural dyes enabled the recovery of ancestral knowledge and reinforced local cultural memory. Identified limitations included resource constraints and variability in students’ technical skills. In conclusion, creative recycling is an effective pedagogical tool for environmental education in Amazonian contexts. The study provides evidence of the relevance of interdisciplinary methodologies that integrate art, science, and culture, and highlights the need to replicate and adapt this model in other communities.
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