MONROE CO., N.Y. — When Susan Coyle from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County arrived at Fairbanks Road Elementary School, she was greeted with a hallway decorated with artwork of bees and bee facts.
The 4-H program leader was at the Churchville-Chili school to advocate for honeybees, native bees and other pollinators. She had no trouble convincing the school’s second graders of the insects’ importance.
Photo courtesy of Churchville Chili CSD Communications.Coyle spoke about the wide variety of bees and their value in food production. She quizzed students on their knowledge of bees and on the reasons for the declining bee population. They were quick with potential answers — pesticides, mites, monocultures, climate change, shrinking habitat. They also were aware that other pollinators are experiencing similar declines. Coyle assured them that scientists and farmers are working to find solutions. She then separated the students into groups of surrogate almond trees, bees and farmers to demonstrate pollination and how all partners work together.
“Our second grade classes have been studying plant reproduction, pollination and bees,” teacher Rose Heppner said. “Our teachers each have individual approaches to the subjects, but by collaborating our lessons all become richer. Together, we are able to create an immersive learning environment where all of our students share knowledge across classrooms and subject disciplines. They can exercise ELA, math and art skills, in addition to science and researching.”
The Fairbanks Road second grade teaching team includes Bethany Alesio, Kelly Bellamy, Heppner, Katie Krahmer and Jamie Snook.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County
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