From 2nd to 6th Class (basic version can be done for jnr/snr and 1st)  Module lasts for a half day per class

Where…

Around the school grounds, local hedgerows if available and in the classroom

What the day entails…

Did you know that their are 20 bumblebee species in Ireland?  We have red-tailed, red haired and orange ones as well as our well known yellow and black ones?  All this and more is explored in the pollination module.

The module starts with exploring plants, their different components and parts of a flower.  This is expanded to encompass the role of pollen and how its gets from one part of the flower to the other ~ pollination.  The main pollinator focused on is the bumblebee.  What makes an insect, different types of bumblebee and their lifecycle is all covered.  The module is inspired by and modelled around the All-Ireland Pollination Plan

What the teacher needs to do…

Preparatory discussions on the parts of a plant, bees, pollination and our dependence on these eco-services are all helpful.  If the students can bring a flower with them to class that day this is also very helpful.  Warm clothes, wellies or boots and rain-gear are all needed.  Download the excellent new junior pollination plan for Ireland here!