The idea for the beekeeping project was sparked by students and teachers who wanted to bring in bees and beekeeping for their entomology lessons. With a NEEF grant for only $1,566.41, beekeeping is now part of the entomology lessons, which go from studying the biology of bees and their life cycle to raising a bee colony and creating honey. They even learn entrepreneurship when they bottle and sell the honey. Teacher Katherine Dalton is relieved that due to the grant, they don’t have to fundraise and, thus, can focus on installing a colony and raising the bees.
With the funds, they bought hives, materials, safety suits, and equipment to raise bees and create honey! Brie Balderas, Senior at AMP, is excited to help raise the bees because, in her words, “Beekeeping runs the world!” She happens to have 12 hives on her ranch and sells the honey they make. Brie was instrumental in making coming up with the idea for the grant, providing her insight and experience.
Julia Bradley and Dylan Buchanan, 10th and 11th graders respectively, were on hand to demonstrate the new equipment used in the process. The students are enthusiastic about this project and plan on using the experience on their college applications.
