Living Learning Spaces: School Bees Enrich Schoolyards and Classrooms
How is honey made? What are a queen bee’s responsibilities? And why are flowering plants so important not only for insects but also for the entire ecosystem? These questions become especially exciting for children when they can discover the answers for themselves. That’s why the “Schulbienen” educational program—funded by the Software AG Foundation (SAGST) and run by the Berlin-based initiative Stadtbienen gGmbH—brings hands-on nature experiences directly to elementary school campuses: with honeybees in specially designed BeeBoxes. Three educators per school complete training in ecological beekeeping. An experienced beekeeper mentors them during the first two years. Age-appropriate educational materials and a kick-off event round out the program.
Wonder and Understanding
Current feedback from the participating schools demonstrates just how effective this approach is. At one school a year ago, around 220 children watched the bees’ arrival via livestream in their classrooms. Since then, the beehive and the weekly bee club have become an integral part of everyday school life. Through direct interaction, many children overcome their initial fear of insects. Instead, they develop an understanding of the animals’ needs and a keener awareness of their surroundings. They notice the absence of flowering plants, take an interest in ecological relationships, and experience a sense of self-efficacy.
“The school bees impressively demonstrate how environmental education succeeds when children don’t just have nature explained to them, but can experience it firsthand,” says SAGST project manager Markus Kleikemper. “Interacting with the bees sparks enthusiasm, fosters a sense of responsibility, and makes biodiversity tangible in the truest sense of the word.” At the same time, the project complements the foundation’s commitment to these important pollinators: SAGST maintains several beehives on its own grounds in Darmstadt and also supports other educational projects, such as the “Erlebnis Bienenwunder” (Bee Wonder Experience) launched in 2023 by the Mellifera Association for species-appropriate beekeeping.
