This week, ninth-graders took a close look at some of the smallest residents on the Merle-Smith Campus... honey bees!
The apiary hosts four thriving hives, home to over 150,000 bees. In association with a World History Unit on agriculture, ninth-graders learned about the role the bees in our apiary play in pollination and local food production. They also examined a case study featuring the Maasai people of East Africa, who are starting to keep bees as a way to supplement their traditional economic system, which is currently vulnerable due to climate change.
Forty students suited up in beekeeping suits and entered the apiary. Those who preferred to 'social distance' from the bees viewed the action in an observation hive, a glass case that closes in one frame without hurting the bees, allowing for intimate examination.
Students tasted both fall and spring honey and wrote about their experiences in their English class. While reading and discussing Colum McCann's novel Apeirogon, students have been tracking its use of imagery relevant to its setting and environment. This experience at the apiary allowed students to make direct observations of their natural environment and to practice using their skills of sensory description
A special thanks goes out to Marc Parent, father of three Moravian Academy alumni and beekeeper extraordinaire, who guided our students through this amazing experience. Also, a shout out of appreciation goes to Brian Elstein, art teacher at the Downtown Campus and our school's official beekeeper, for helping the bees in our apiary thrive!
For those who wish to take a taste of "Moravian Gold," this year's honey is for sale in our spirit store.