PHOTO: St. Michael’s Third-Graders Learn About the Importance of Honey Bees

The third grade class at has been busy learning the importance of the role of bees in the environment. A local beekeeper and accredited organic land care specialist, Sanne Kure-Jensen, recently visited Lisa Pritchard’s science class.

In class the students grew "Wisconsin Fast Plants” and are learning why flowering plants need to be pollinated to complete the full life cycle.

Using "bee sticks”, the students simulated natural pollination that would occur with living bees. Ms. Kure-Jensen’s presentation demonstrated why honeybees are vital to the environment and the food supply.

Among the topics covered were how to maintain a bee yard, what plants bees like best, and why organic farming is important to sustaining the bee population. The students also had the opportunity to don a beekeeper uniform, handle parts of a hive, and sample honey.

Thanks to St. Michael's for providing this information.