Buzz the bee
Students will learn about the distinguishing features of the European Honey Bee, their lifecycle and the very important role bees play in pollination.
Background information:
There are nearly 20,000 known bee species in the world. In Australia, we have at least 1,700 species of native bees. They are important pollinators of Australia’s unique wildflowers but most Australian bees are solitary bees. Commercial honey bees, such as the European Honey Bee, are not native to Australia and they live in social groups in hives.
Globally there are more honey bees than other types of bee and pollinating insects, so it is the world’s most important pollinator of food crops. It is estimated that one third of the food that we consume each day relies on pollination mainly by bees.
Using images and a literacy approach, students will work through the activities. They will view images that they can interpret to learn about the European Honey Bee and piece together the stages in the bees lifecycle.
Key terms: colony, hive, worker, drone, queen, pollination, nectar, pollen
Year Level: 3 – 4
Prior knowledge:
Students would benefit from knowing the difference between native bees and honey bees.
Course Connections:
Does this course link to other Ecolinc programs?
This course is an ideal extension after attending the following onsite programs:
or this course can stand alone as a learning experience.
Learning intentions:
In this program students will:
- Identify the features of a bee
- Learn the stages in a bee’s lifecycle
- Explore the role that bees play in pollination
Estimated Duration: 45 minutes
Victorian Curriculum:
Science – Biological Sciences
- Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (VCSSU057)
- Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive (VCSSU058)
Course Creator: Linda Flynn
