WMS Bee Club’s Sweet Success

Buzzing with Learning: WMS Bee Club’s Sweet Success

At Westside Middle School, the Bee Club is making a huge impact, not just on the local ecosystem, but on our students as well. Since spring, our young beekeepers have been hard at work raising a hive of bees, gaining hands-on experience with nature, and learning valuable lessons about sustainability, science, and responsibility.

A Busy Spring and Summer

The adventure began last spring when students started preparing the hive. From clearing brush to planting pollinator-friendly plants around the school, students worked tirelessly to create an environment conducive to thriving bees. In addition to hands-on gardening, students have been suiting up in bee gear and learning the art of beekeeping. Their enthusiasm is infectious as they regularly handle the bees and explore the fascinating world of entomology.

Although the first honey harvest wasn’t large, it was certainly a memorable one. The excitement of spinning the honey from the frames and filling straws, much like you’d see at a county fair, brought smiles to everyone’s faces. The process was a hands-on way for students to see the importance of bees in our ecosystem and how they contribute to food production.

Preparing for Winter: A Critical Lesson in Care

As the colder months approached, the Bee Club shifted focus to preparing the bees for their first winter—one of their biggest challenges yet. Students learned how the bees need to adjust their nutrition and stores to survive the long, cold months. They explored the complexities of hive management and made sure the bees had everything they needed to survive and thrive.

This hands-on project has been invaluable in teaching students about resilience, patience, and the importance of caring for living creatures. There’s a certain kind of pride that comes with knowing that the work they’ve put in over the past months will help sustain life through the winter.

Looking Ahead: Projects for the Winter Months

As the bees settled into their winter hibernation, the Bee Club continued to buzz with activity. This winter, they have engaged students in several exciting projects that will help spread the knowledge of our hive’s inner workings to the entire school.

Students are working on creating informational displays and posters that will be placed in the observation hallway, where students, staff, and visitors can learn more about the fascinating process inside the hive. These educational materials will highlight everything from how the bees work together to the critical role they play in pollination.

Additionally, students are teaming up with the shop class to use CNC machines to build new and replacement parts for the hive. This project will help students develop practical skills in design and fabrication while supporting the long-term health of our hive.

A Sweet Success

Thanks to the generous support from donors, the Bee Club has been able to provide students with an experience that extends far beyond the classroom. Through this project, students are gaining an understanding of nature, the environment, and the importance of teamwork and community. We’re excited to continue this journey and can’t wait to see how the Bee Club will continue to grow—and how these students will carry their newfound knowledge and love for the environment with them for years to come.

Thank you for making this possible! With your support, we’re able to nurture curiosity and responsibility in the next generation of environmental stewards.