Students study bees with an expert

SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY

Hexagon cells. Pollination. Waggle dance. Queens and drones. These are some of the terms Innovations’ first- and second-graders were using as they engaged in conversation with beekeeper Jenny Bach from Bee Love Hawaii during an expert visit to their classroom. Bee Love Hawaii is a nonprofit organization that offers outreach educational presentations to schools on the world of bees. Bach and an assistant captured the attention and questions of the first- and second-graders who have been engaged in a unit of inquiry on insects and bugs.

The students made connections between the life cycles of bees and that of butterflies they observe outside of their classroom windows each day, commenting that the life cycle of both insects include pupa, cocoon and adult stages. Students learned the pollination conducted by bees provide for yummy fruits such as cantaloupe, raspberries and almonds.

Students enjoyed the interactive approach to the informational presentation. An opportunity for dress in beekeeper attire was included. Students donned the beekeeper protective suit, helmet, veil and gloves, as well as a bee smoker that can be used to protect beekeepers from swarming bees. Students made models of the anatomy of a bee and got up-close to a beehive through a glassed-in observation hive where they observed the social behaviors of bees. To top it all off, students enjoyed the sweet taste of hand-harvested Hawaiian honey.

Incorporating the use of community experts is an important part of the inquiry process of learning implemented at Innovations Public Charter School. Through the sharing of knowledge, expertise and hands-on opportunities provided by experts, students are able to delve deeper into their exploration of a topic, use primary sources for research and ask thoughtful, complex questions.