The bee is not doing well. Research shows that bee populations worldwide are declining. The causes are manifold and currently still subject to discussion: fragmentation of nature, the use of herbicides, monocultures in agriculture and horticulture, parasites, the weather…
Did you know that…
in Flanders alone, almost 350 species of wild bees and bumblebees exist?
The pupils examine the difference between the bee, the wasp, the bumblebee and the hoverfly. They investigate the different biotopes, how they live, their usefulness to humans, but also the threats these animals have to contend with. They look for solutions to protect them.
The questions below may be exciting to explore.
About me
- Who likes honey? Why (not)?
- Is there honey to be found all over the world?
- Could there be honey all over the world?
- Was there any honey in the past?
- Who has been stung by a bee/ wasp/bumblebee? How did that happen?
- How come some people have an allergic reaction to this?
- …
About nature
- What does a bee look like? What is the difference with a wasp/bumblebee/hoverfly?
- Are there different types of bees?
- What do bees/wasps/bumblebees/hoverflies eat?
- Where do they live?
- What is wrong with the bee? Is this happening only here or elsewhere?
- Why are bees in particular (but by extension all insects) so important?
- Can we protect them? How then?
- …
Technique
- Could the bee, wasp, bumblebee or hoverfly also live in our school?
- If so, where? In the sun/shade/semi-shade? Or would that not matter?
- Can we build something for them to live in?
- What should it look like? We make a plan (to scale).
- What materials do we need for this?
- Where are we going to get the materials?
- What about wood? Where (which country) does it come from? How was it treated? Is it durable wood?
- Do we need to protect the wood (from rain)? How do we protect it?
- How do we make sure the hotel is solidly built (e.g. cannot fall over)?
Pupils (and teachers) are challenged to build a real insect hotel.
The hotel must meet the following conditions:
- Be solid
- Be located in an appropriate place (sun, half shade, shadow)
- Be able to accommodate different (kinds of) insects
- Made of non-toxic materials (otherwise the insects will get sick!)
- Provide food (nectar plants) for the inhabitants
- Look for "experts" who can help complete the challenge.
- Each class can bring in its own sub-expertise according to its level (drawing a plan, going to the wood store, building the hotel, filling the hotel...)
- The local beekeeper
- The local division of Natuurpunt and/or Velt
- The carpenter, wood merchant, bricklayer, do-it-yourself shop...
- And of course handy moms, dads, grandmothers and grandfathers!
- A (class) puppet and/or play is always useful to introduce the theme in a fun way. It is best to have these come back regularly so that the theme continues to live on in the school.
- There are quite a few misunderstandings about bees, wasps, bumblebees and hoverflies. They are often confused with each other and regarded as annoying and stinging. If only to avoid prejudice and negative reactions, organise an information moment for (grand)parents. Have the pupils present their research work to them.
- Draw the garden plan life-size and display it at the entrance of the school. Or create a scale model together with the pupils. Show in a creative way what animals can be expected.
- Make the plans known within the school group (and/or other schools you are in contact with). Exchange experiences.
- Inaugurate the insect hotel/tower/house with much fanfare. Invite (grand)parents, dignitaries, and the press. Turn it into a MOS party!
- The hotel is inhabited! Great! Don't forget to communicate this to everyone through all possible channels. Tell something about the critters that have taken up residence there.
- An information board placed near the hotel, nicely designed (by the pupils), with cool drawings and/or photos of the residents, invites reading. Through various channels, you can even obtain subsidies for this under certain conditions!
FSC- labelled, as well as PEFC- labelled wood is wood from sustainably managed forests. The wood may come from European or non-European forests.
Extra challenge (for the daring!)
- Partner with a local beekeeper, build your own hive, and harvest real school honey.
- Start a mini-company (including bookkeeping!), design and make labels, and sell the honey.
- Leve de bijen! This website wants to bring together existing and new information about bees and encourage you to get to work for these fantastic animals and diligent workers
- plantvanhier.be: Find out which trees and bushes are typical for your environment
- alternatieve planten: Limit the introduction of invasive plants
- weekvandebij.be/aan de slag
- De Beestige Brug: Suske and Wiske experience first-hand what it is like to be an animal
Tip
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Google 'insect hotel' and find plenty of great examples!