Charleston Day School has a honeybee hive in an observation wall of our science lab. The bees are a mesmerizing way to learn about bee culture, pollination and more. The health of the hive ebbs and flows, much like honeybee populations around the country. Over Spring Break, our hive was so healthy, the beekeepers took thousands of bees out for rehoming to allow the hive to continue to grow. They also took the queen, so our hive will soon queen another.
Our beehive began several years ago through The Bee Cause Project. It is now managed by Tom of @queenandcomb. We are so appreciative of their care, and our students always look forward to studying the honeybees!
The Importance of the Honeybee
In the 2021 Dottie Rhett Speech Contest, fifth grader Emily M. won third place for her speech, The Importance of the Honeybee. She explored the causes of decline in the bee population and ways to help. Here is an excerpt:
“A world without honeybees would also mean a world without fruits, nuts, vegetables and seeds…One of the ways you can help (the bee population crisis) is by planting a bee garden. You can create a habitat corridor with plants that are rich in pollen and nectar. You don’t need need a ton of space to grow bee-friendly plants. Gardens can be established across yards and in window boxes, flower pots and planters.”