INTERMEDIATE: Pollinators
Curated by Hema Hemraj
When we hear about pollination, the busy honeybees are the ones that come to mind. Bees are amazing creatures that are very intelligent and have intricate social structures. There is a multitude of pollinators, that include hummingbirds, butterflies, fruit bats, and many other insects! In this exploration, we will take a closer look at the lives of honeybees and native bees in North America, through outdoor activities, land art, and research investigations.
Pollinators are essential for ecosystem health and provide many ecological services. Plants are an important foundation of ecosystems, and 85% of all flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce seed. Without pollinators, the availability and diversity of fresh produce would decline substantially, and human nutrition would suffer.
Land Art
Bee Hotels & Beeswax Wraps
Bee hotels allow students to use found or recycled materials to support pollinators in their area.
Beeswax wraps are easy to make and great alternatives to single-use plastic like plastic wrap and plastic bags.
Outdoor Exploration
Backyard Pollinators
Take a walk outdoors, in the yard around your school, in the neighborhood, or to a local garden for this outdoor exploration activity.
Taking it to the next level… some research questions to explore.
Resources
Here are some links and documents that go more in-depth with our honeybees, with additional videos, lesson plans, and an activity booklet. Take a closer look at why honeybees chose hexagons for their hives or what roles each honeybee has in the hive!
Why Do Honeybees Love Hexagons? (video)