Classroom Beekeeping
By Phil Kahler
I
magine a world without pollinators and
it is not long before you realize a world
without color, fragrance, or flavor. Honey-
bees and other pollinators are responsible
for the continuation of most flowering
plants. Clearly pollinators are key mem-
bers of nearly all food webs, and it is
becoming apparent that the earth’s ecosys-
tems are indeed fragile. It is this message
I wish to share with my classes. Once my
students realize the importance of honey-
bees in their own lives, it is my hope that
they will begin to trade their fears of being
stung for new understandings, that their
fascination will turn to appreciation, and
then to responsibility.
Pollen-covered worker
Making the commitment My wife and son watched with excite-
foraging on a dandelion
ment from a safe distance as I carefully
I must confess that I did not become a
followed the directions for getting the bees
beekeeper on purpose. As a boy I was fas-
into their new hive. everything I read said
cinated by the observation beehive I saw
to stay calm and to work deliberately and
at a nature center. So as an adult, when a
smoothly. I am happy to report that I did
parent volunteered to help me set up an
not get stung even once that first season!
observation hive in my classroom I took
More often than not, I have been stung
the opportunity. The observation hive was
when I was in a hurry and didn’t wear all
an instant hit with my students. everyone
my protective clothing. These days I look
enjoyed watching the workers, looking for
forward to opening the hives. The sweet
the queen, drones, eggs, and waiting for
smell of fresh honey and the buzz of bees
the brood to hatch. But after the bees died
around my head are actually relaxing.
out two winters in a row I decided to start
establishing a living beehive in a class-
a full-size hive at home. I reasoned that I
room takes careful planning. The most
could exchange frames of honey and brood
obvious problem to overcome is the possi-
to keep my observation hive thriving.
bility of bees coming into physical contact
At the local bee supply I picked up
with students. Only a small portion of my
my hive equipment, beekeeper’s suit,
science classroom has access to an outside
and ordered a package of honeybees.
wall. This became a challenge because
Two weeks later with my hive assembled
the location of the bee exit had to be right
and ready, I got the call that my package
next to our frequently used outside door.
of bees was ready for pick up. When I
I decided to drill the exit hole above the
returned home with my three-pound pack-
height of the door to ensure students would
age of bees, which is about 10,000 workers
be below the bee’s flight path.
plus a queen, I began to feel a little uneasy
To further direct the bees away from
at the prospect of having all those stingers
the door, I attached a small wooden box
buzzing around my head.
with its single opening pointing away from
© synergy learning • 800-769-6199 • March/april 2010 Connect • page 1

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