Change is Simple: Pollinators!

On Friday, we were visited by Change is Simple, a program designed to help teach students about the connection between our environment and our health. We learned about five different kinds of bees that live in our area: bumble bee, honey bee, squash bee, carpenter bee and sweat bee. These five bees all pollinate different plants because they are attracted to different color petals on flowers.

Students check out the visuals of the five types of bees.

Students had the opportunity to take a closer look at the bumble bee and honey bee and compare their observations using a microscope attached to an ipad. They looked at the structure of the body and looked for places where pollen could get stuck.

The girls use a microscope to take a closer look at the bumble bee.

We also played a game where each student represented a different bee and raced around the classroom and visit food they were attracted to. Next, students were asked to wear special bee goggles to mimic the dizzy, disoriented feeling the bees get when their plants are sprayed with pesticides. Ask your child about this game!

Students hold up food cards for the bees to collect in the game.

Olivia, Mark and Nico try out the bee goggles!

Gabriele, Addison and Will holding their bee cards.

We learned a lot from the Change is Simple program, especially the importance of not using chemicals and pesticides on our food. We know that bees help pollinate many of our yummy foods and we wouldn't have all these foods if not for bees! Many students look forward to planting flowers when the spring comes to attract bees and help grow the bee population. We can't wait for the next visit from Change is Simple later this year! What a fun, hands-on science experience!

Students work together to help sort the different plants that bees help pollinate. We were surprised by the number of fruits and vegetables in the 'do pollinate' category!