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Bees Please! STEM Kit

Explore how we can increase bee biodiversity in our neighborhoods!

Students become entomologists, botanists and ecologists as they work through the storyline of this kit. Students study their bee type (each kit contains a different species) and exchange data and information with other groups to explore native bee biodiversity and behavior. Building flower models brings structure and function to the understanding of pollination. Data from CSU’s Native Bee Watch run by Lisa Mason is analyzed by the class. In the end, Students determine how their lunch would look without bees.

Science and Engineering Practices include: 1) developing and using models; 2) analyzing and interpreting data; 3) using mathematics and computational thinking; 4) obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.

Crosscutting Concepts include: 1) patterns; 2) cause and effect; 3) systems and system models; 4) structure and function; 5) stability and change of systems.

Class Requirements

  • 4th grade and up
  • Moderate teacher preparation
  • One to two class periods
  • 30 students or less working in pairs
  • Science notebooks

Bees Please! STEM Kit Resources

  • Bees Please! STEM Kit Use Instructions (complete teacher guide – coming soon)
  • Bee Characteristic Template (coming soon)
  • Bee Data Garden Template (coming soon)
  • Science Notebook Template (for use in lieu of Science Notebooks)
  • Science Notebook Template (Spanish version)
  • Science Notebook Evaluation Rubric (coming soon)
  • Bees Please! STEM Kit Instruction Booklet
    (available upon request – email name and school to Dr. Andrew Warnock)
  • Gardens on Spring Creek

Next Generation Science Standards: Disciplinary Core Ideas

  • 4-LS1.A: Structure and Function Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior and reproduction.
  • 4-LS1.D: Information Processing Different sense receptors are specialized for particular kinds of information, which may then be processed by an animal’s brain.
  • 5-LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met. A healthy ecosystem is one in which multiple species of different types are each able to meet their needs in a relatively stable web of life.
  • MS-LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms Plants reproduce in a variety of ways, sometimes depending on animal behavior and specialized features for reproduction.
  • MS-LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Mutually beneficial interactions may become so interdependent that each organism requires the other for survival.
  • MS-LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans Changes in biodiversity can influence humans’ resources, such as food, energy, and medicine as well as ecosystem services that humans rely on – for example, water purification and recycling.
  • HS-LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity. But human activity is also having adverse impacts on biodiversity through over population, overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change. Thus, sustaining biodiversity so that ecosystem functioning and productivity are maintained is essential to supporting and enhancing life on Earth.

Borrowing Bees Please! STEM Kits

There is no charge to educators who wish to borrow any of our STEM kits. We appreciate applications be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired use date. The loan application forms require you to confirm your email address before it will be sent to the EOC – so once you click submit, check your email (including the junk folder)! You should also get a copy of the form for your records via email, if you don’t, please contact Jordan Conley (jordan.conley@colostate.edu).