EXPLORE THE HONEYBEE – UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN FORT WAYNE
Since the late 1990s, beekeepers have noticed a decline in the honeybee population including high rates of collapse within colonies. Beekeepers have reported between 30-50% higher rates of hive loss. The declining bee population is a serious concern and issue facing humans globally. Pollinators have a great impact on food production, the balance of ecosystems and the farming community. There is an awesome symbiotic relationship between these essential pollinators and food we enjoy every day.
To help address this dire problem, Southwest Honey Co. will be holding a pollinator educational program for children and young adults throughout the summer of 2016 that helps children connect with their environment through the eyes of the honeybee. Now enrolling online at www.southwesthoney.com/education, families can sign up their children, including teens, to experience a hands-on adventure-based class all about the honeybee, activity in the hive, how pollination impacts what we eat and more fun activities like a walk through the prairie and trying local honey.
The program has been customized for age groups kindergarten through high school and collegiate levels by the program’s lead educator Megan Ryan, who has her Master’s Degree in education. Each class will explore the honeybee in the depth appropriate for their learning level.
“Each age group learns differently. I’ve designed each class to be as fun and impactful as possible to spread the knowledge about the plight of the honeybee and why they are so important to us.” Ms. Ryan continued, “The classes are more than just a fun activity-based learning environment. The honeybee is such an interesting insect; they are the perfect subject to get kids thinking about conservation and our environment.”
Beginning on May 30 through July on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the classes will be held under the “Science Tent” at the Southwest Conservation Club in Fort Wayne, Indiana. All of the class registration occurs online at www.southwesthoney.com. The length of time and price for each student varies from 90 to 150 minutes and $7.50 to $12 depending on the age level of the class. And, parents can learn along with their child for free!
“Who said learning has to be boring? Our class will encourage your child’s sense of adventure and wonder through the eyes of the honeybee. When excitement, movement and laughter are involved in a learning experience, the impact is great. Our students will leave as little experts on pollinators, how pollinators help our food and what they can do to help our pollinator friends!”
Give your child a fun, exciting, impactful learning experience for less than the price of a movie ticket!” – Excerpt from www.southwesthoney.com
This program was brought to full fruition by support from the Southwest Conservation Club, SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education), Betterbee and Wheeler’s Bees. With the help of these sponsors, the program foresees the attendance of over 1,000 students between May 2016 and January 2018.
For more information about Southwest Honey Co.’s organization and summer educational program, you can visit www.southwesthoney.com or find them on Facebook. They are currently accepting reservations for groups, individuals and families for the summer classes.
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Celebrating 20 Years Of Community At The Stand - April 12, 2024
- First Positive Case Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Indiana - April 12, 2024
- Southwest Allen County Schools Embark On Major Tree Plantings - April 12, 2024