2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Using Gamification and Aquaponics to Enhance STEM Engagement and Sustainability Awareness

Presented at Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division (BAE) Poster Session

This study explores the impact of gamification on student engagement and learning outcomes in an aquaponics-centered STEM activity. First-year engineering students (n=14) participated in either a traditional lecture or a gamified version of the same 15-minute aquaponics lesson, followed by a hands-on taste test and laboratory tour. Lettuce was cultivated in varying saline conditions (0, 2, 5, and 10 ppt) using a Kratky passive hydroponics system. Results showed that the gamified group reported greater engagement, with 64% of all participants rating the experience highly. These findings support the integration of gamification into sustainability-focused STEM instruction.

Authors

Ms. Linda Hargrove North Carolina State University at Raleigh [biography]

Linda Hargrove is an instructor of Introduction to Engineering courses for first-year students at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. A native North Carolinian and a first-generation college graduate, Ms. Hargrove holds both a BS and MS in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from NC State University.

With a passion for informal STEM education and citizen science, Linda is dedicated to inspiring future engineers through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Her research interests span aquacultural wastewater treatment, spatial visualization, and STEM outreach. She also actively promotes STEM outreach initiatives to foster inclusivity and innovation in engineering.

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