How Students Can Learn in 5 Core Areas with Beepods

Published on December 3, 2020

Recently, we’ve been sharing reasons why Beepods so enthusiastically supports project-based learning. From the real-life problem-solving skills it helps students develop, to the engaging and fun experiences it provides, project-based learning is a fantastic education approach. And, it is the ideal learning format for exploring bee-related curriculums and lessons.

With in-person or virtual observation and activity with a Beepods Complete Beekeeping System at your school, and the extensive lessons, toolkits, videos, and more available in our members’ area, Beepods Lab, there are endless ways students can learn with Beepods. Today we’re talking about how students can learn in five core education areas with Beepods educational resources.

Math

Bee-lieve it or not, bees are quite the mathematicians! Though they’re small, their brains are mighty. Bees are capable of performing a variety of math functions, including:

Basic arithmetic
Understanding the concept of zero
Calculating distances
Solving simple math questions

Perhaps the most impressive mathematical feat bees perform is using geometry to construct comb. Bees build comb structures strong enough to support about 60 lbs of honey. They create hexagonal cells geometrically designed to withstand a whole lot of weight.

Observing bees in person gives kids an educational experience unlike any other.

By observing comb construction, either on-site with a Beepods Complete Beekeeping System or by showing students virtually via video, teachers have unique opportunities to introduce geometry concepts. You can demonstrate math and geometry principles at play and show students the impressive and precise calculations bees use to build their comb.

Language

While honeybees certainly don’t speak English (at least, we don’t think), they’ve evolved to communicate important pieces of information with one another. The waggle dance and round dances are movements used to share the location of food resources and distances to those resources. It’s a sophisticated means of communicating valuable information among the colony.

If your school has a Beepods Complete Beekeeping System, take students outside and have them observe the worker bees waggle dances and note how bees react to them. Or, they can watch recorded waggle dances online. In Beepods Lab, we even have a Waggle Dance Game lesson plan for students K-3, where students learn how bees and different animals communicate.

Students can also learn about the value of developing a system of communication to relay important concepts by choreographing their own waggle dances to share with classmates or family members.

Science

Studying bees is the perfect way to enrich learning about science. The fascinating superorganism world of honeybees is prime for studying anatomy, behaviors, agriculture, entomology, ecosystems, and more. There are no limits to the science concepts, and lessons students can enjoy through learning with bees.

An exciting topic to explore with students is bee anatomy, specifically their eyes. The ways bees see are incredibly complex, and their anatomy supports superior abilities to find food, see colors, navigate flight patterns, and more. Comparing human vision to bee vision is an engaging way to introduce students to the topic.

In Beepods Lab, you can download the How a Bee Sees the World lesson to share with your students and help them discover fun facts, videos, and other outdoor adventures focusing on bee vision. With a Beepod, you can use the Beepods Bee Viewer and a magnifying glass to study bees and take a closer look at their impressive eye structures.

English

Learning with bees offers students various ways to introduce reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing. From writing creative essays about observing bees at your school’s Beepods Complete Beekeeping System hive to learning vocabulary concepts, bees provide limitless opportunities to present English subject topics creatively.

Learning with bees whether in-person or virtually encourages gets to get-hands on and explore their surroundings.

Any lesson involving bees, whether it’s math, science, or language, will introduce new vocabulary for students. Learning new terms, how they’re used, and why they’re important is a valuable step as students learn and practice the concepts and skills they develop working with bees. Asking students to complete activities using new vocabulary words relevant to the lessons at hand will help them understand why and how terms are used.

History and Geography

Beekeeping is the second oldest profession globally, and humans have been working with and learning from bees for 10,000+ years. Bees are valued by various cultures worldwide, and their history is unique in each region where they’re present. Learning about the domestication of bees is an excellent way for students to understand the extensive history behind modern bees.

Researching the history of domestic bees and/or specific bee breeds and aligning important dates and developments with other events in world history is one way to incorporate bees into history and geography lessons. The Basic Beesentation in Beepods Lab would be a fun addition to any history activity regarding bees. It includes information on how bees came to the US and facts about famous beekeepers throughout history.

Closing Thoughts

There is a wide variety of ways to incorporate Beepods educational resources into learning across core areas of learning. From English to Science, the Beepods Complete Beekeeping System and the lessons and tools available in Beepods Lab provide hands-on and engaging project-based learning experiences to help students learn and grow.

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Kanoe Riedel

Kanoe Riedel is a freelance writer who enjoys learning about new and interesting topics. A Guam native, she loves traveling, trying new things, and spending time with her husband and their adventurous toddler.