From Drawings to Awareness: Exploring Narrative Visualization and AI to Teach Children about the Fragile Ecosystem of the Mar Menor Lagoon

Marine ecosystems are vital for human survival and the well-being of our planet. Educating children about marine conservation and environmental preservation is essential for fostering future generations that value and adopt sustainable practices, particularly in fragile ecosystems like the Mar Menor, a coastal saltwater lagoon in Spain severely affected by climatic and anthropogenic pressures. To enhance engagement in learning about the lagoon's ecosystem and challenges, we developed an interactive system that integrates children's drawings into a narrative visualization, combined with a conversational interface powered by generative AI. We conducted an evaluation with 52 children aged 10-12, where the system was framed in an environmental education activity. Results demonstrated a 33.3% increase in children's understanding of the lagoon's critical condition and a 23.1% improvement in their awareness of key contributing factors, particularly climate change. Additionally, the activity fostered curiosity about the lagoon, concern for its situation, and attitude toward conservation efforts.