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“If bees were to disappear from the globe, humankind would only have four years left to live.”— Albert Einstein
STEM education is the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an interdisciplinary or integrated approach. Students gain and apply knowledge, deepen their understanding and develop creative and critical thinking skills within an authentic context. It may include inquiry and project-based learning.
STEM education is the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an interdisciplinary or integrated approach. Students gain and apply knowledge, deepen their understanding and develop creative and critical thinking skills within an authentic context. It may include inquiry and project-based learning.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Paul Canning. Science Agriculture teacher - Pittwater High. Currently working at Taronga Zoo, Balgowlah Boys High.
Paul Canning. Science Agriculture teacher - Pittwater High. Currently working at Taronga Zoo, Balgowlah Boys High.
Dan Smailes - Sydney Stingless bees (facebook)
Dan Smailes - Sydney Stingless bees (facebook)
Vincent Schnyder- Northern Beaches Bee Keeping Association (European honey bees)
Vincent Schnyder- Northern Beaches Bee Keeping Association (European honey bees)
James Stanton- 'Trees for Bees' 'Beards On'
James Stanton- 'Trees for Bees' 'Beards On'
Francisco Garcia Bulle - Native bees as alternative crop pollinators: reproductive behaviour of Tetragonula carbonaria - Australian Native bee research project Sydney University.
Francisco Garcia Bulle - Native bees as alternative crop pollinators: reproductive behaviour of Tetragonula carbonaria - Australian Native bee research project Sydney University.
Amelie Vanderstock- Cross-pollinating insect and community resilience in urban environments . Australian Native bee research project Sydney University.
Amelie Vanderstock- Cross-pollinating insect and community resilience in urban environments . Australian Native bee research project Sydney University.
St Paul's Catholic College- STEM PROJECT PROPOSAL
St Paul's Catholic College- STEM PROJECT PROPOSAL
Bees are amongst the most important creatures to humans on Earth. These amazing insects pollinate over 80% of all flowering plants including 70 of the top 100 human food crops. One in three bites of food that we eat is derived from plants pollinated by bees.
Bees are amongst the most important creatures to humans on Earth. These amazing insects pollinate over 80% of all flowering plants including 70 of the top 100 human food crops. One in three bites of food that we eat is derived from plants pollinated by bees.
What are Native Bees?
What are Native Bees?
There are over 1,600 species of "true blue" Australian native bees.
There are over 1,600 species of "true blue" Australian native bees.
Commercial honey bees (Apis mellifera) are not native to Australia. They were introduced from Europe in about 1822.
Commercial honey bees (Apis mellifera) are not native to Australia. They were introduced from Europe in about 1822.
Most Australian bees are solitary bees which raise their young in burrows in the ground or in tiny hollows in timber.
Most Australian bees are solitary bees which raise their young in burrows in the ground or in tiny hollows in timber.
Australia also has 11 species of social native bees (genera Tetragonula* and Austroplebeia) which do not sting!
Australia also has 11 species of social native bees (genera Tetragonula* and Austroplebeia) which do not sting!
Word Pool- Literacy
Word Pool- Literacy
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology. In the past the term "insect" was more vague, and historically the definition of entomology included the study of terrestrial animals
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology. In the past the term "insect" was more vague, and historically the definition of entomology included the study of terrestrial animals
Apiology – (from Latin apis, "bee"; and Ancient Greek -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of honey bees.
Apiology – (from Latin apis, "bee"; and Ancient Greek -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of honey bees.
Apiarists keeps bees in order to collect their honey and other products that the hive produces
Apiarists keeps bees in order to collect their honey and other products that the hive produces
A location where bees are kept is called an apiary or "bee yard."
A location where bees are kept is called an apiary or "bee yard."
Stingless bees are often mistaken for flies due to their size and colouring.
A New Place to Share and Discuss Your Native Bee Sightings
A New Place to Share and Discuss Your Native Bee Sightings
What are solitary bees?
What are solitary bees?
Nearly all of Australia’s 1,500 or more native bee species are solitary. Solitary bees do not have queens and workers. Instead in most species, just one female bee mates with a male and then builds an individual nest for her eggs, just like a bird does.
Nearly all of Australia’s 1,500 or more native bee species are solitary. Solitary bees do not have queens and workers. Instead in most species, just one female bee mates with a male and then builds an individual nest for her eggs, just like a bird does.
Blue banded bees, leafcutter bees and teddy bear bees are examples of solitary bees. Solitary bees do not store any honey in their tiny nests.
Blue banded bees, leafcutter bees and teddy bear bees are examples of solitary bees. Solitary bees do not store any honey in their tiny nests.
Teddy bear bee Australian solitary bee
Metallic Carpenter bee: “This native bee makes a low-pitched sound as it flies, and prefers to make its habitat in old or dead trees. It’s quite large, and the female is a golden-green colour.” Photography from The Bee Friendly Garden.
What can the STEM PROJECT at St Paul's do to support the security of survival and reintroduce Australian native bees to suburban areas?
What can the STEM PROJECT at St Paul's do to support the security of survival and reintroduce Australian native bees to suburban areas?
IDEAS considered.
IDEAS considered.
Through the planting of native shrubs and trees that provide a food source for bees .
Through the planting of native shrubs and trees that provide a food source for bees .
Through creating and distributing educational material that informs people of the need to support the bees.
Through creating and distributing educational material that informs people of the need to support the bees.
Through designing enclosures that inhibit the theft of a hive. ( Hive design itself derived from Tim Hearn-- The Australian native Bee book . www.sugarbag.net)
Through designing enclosures that inhibit the theft of a hive. ( Hive design itself derived from Tim Hearn-- The Australian native Bee book . www.sugarbag.net)
Through designing out thermostat casings for hives.
Through designing out thermostat casings for hives.
Through designing security stands for social hives to provide adequate shelter and deter theft.
Through designing security stands for social hives to provide adequate shelter and deter theft.
Through designing and creating planters that provide food for native bees
Through designing and creating planters that provide food for native bees
By creating and encorouging the use of natural insecticides and pesticides in our gardens
By creating and encorouging the use of natural insecticides and pesticides in our gardens
Through designing solitary bee hotel. SOLITARY NATIVE BEE STARTER PACK
Through designing solitary bee hotel. SOLITARY NATIVE BEE STARTER PACK
Through researching and mapping of Australian native hives in the local area. Taronga Zoo- Paul Canning.
Through researching and mapping of Australian native hives in the local area. Taronga Zoo- Paul Canning.
Northern Beaches-Permaculture , Dan, Northern Beaches Bee Keeping Association, Vince, Trees for Bees,
Northern Beaches-Permaculture , Dan, Northern Beaches Bee Keeping Association, Vince, Trees for Bees,
Through collecting, analysing and publishing data. How far males DRONES travel in search for a queen? (Sydney Uni research project) Francisco.
Through collecting, analysing and publishing data. How far males DRONES travel in search for a queen? (Sydney Uni research project) Francisco.
DNA data
Concept possibilities to be explored- Development of an app. (APP maker Google) GPS data - feeder plants. bee location, bee identification, hive location.
Concept possibilities to be explored- Development of an app. (APP maker Google) GPS data - feeder plants. bee location, bee identification, hive location.
MATHEMATICS- Coding
MATHEMATICS- Coding
(Build apps that fill gaps, like accelerating business workflows or scaling internal operations, with G Suite’s low-code development environment. App Maker is included with G Suite Business and Enterprise editions, as well as with G Suite for Education. )
WHAT IMPACT WOULD NO BEES HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT?
WHAT IMPACT WOULD NO BEES HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT?
Tim A. Heard
CSIRO Entomology, PMB 3 Indooroopilly 4068, Australia;
e-mail: tim.heard@brs.ento.csiro.au
KEY WORDS: Apidae, Meliponini, floral biology, alternative pollinators, entomophily
PDF) The role of stingless bees in crop pollination. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8665983_The_role_of_stingless_bees_in_crop_pollination [accessed Sep 27 2018].
WHAT PROBLEMS ARE FACING THE SURVIVAL OF European BEES?
WHAT PROBLEMS ARE FACING THE SURVIVAL OF European BEES?
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?
WHY FOCUS ON AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEES? SUGARBAG BEES Nauru
WHY FOCUS ON AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEES? SUGARBAG BEES Nauru
Awareness of Australian native bees.
Limited STEM research has been conducted.
Some native bee species could become important pollinators of agricultural crops.
Native bees may be less susceptible than European honeybees to invasive pests.
These are known as ‘stingless’ bees because, unlike the honeybee, they don't have a stinger.
Tetragonula carbonaria and Austroplebeia australis, have been shown to have excellent defences against the small hive beetle, which can have a devastating impact in the hives of the European honeybee.
Recent research at Western Sydney University and the University of Adelaide has shown the blue banded bee, a solitary bee of the genus Amegilla, to be more efficient than European honeybees at pollinating greenhouse-grown tomatoes. Blue banded bees ‘buzz’ pollinate—meaning that their wings vibrate at such a rate that they cause the flower’s pollen capsules to burst—a technique well-suited to tomatoes.
Another agricultural crop that has been shown to be pollinated effectively by native bees (in this case, the social Tetragonula species) is macadamia, itself an Australian native.
Australia has over 1500 Native Bee Species. There are around 200 known species endemic to the Sydney region. Each native bee individually contributes to pollinating and maintaining indigenous biodiversity. The world’s bee populations are in trouble, through colony collapse disorder, predator beetles and a broad range of factors that relate to our lack of care for the Earth. Encouraging native bees into our gardens and community helps an integral part of our ecosystem. ................
Australia has around 10 species of social native bees. Social native bees are generally small (4mm), black and stingless. They live in colonies and nests, just like social European honey bees. However, they have a different nest and brood structure, the population of the colony is much smaller than European honey bees, and they produce very little honey (less than 1kg a year). This honey has a more acidic taste compared to that produced by European honey bees. Stingless bees are mainly tropical, so they tend to thrive in warm areas of Australia.
Each female bee creates her own nest. Depending on the species, this may involve tunnelling a hole in the ground, hollowing out the soft central pith of stems or exploiting pre-existing abandoned borer holes in timber. She typically lays one egg per cell, provisioning each with pollen and nectar. She then seals it, leaving them to fend for themselves as she usually dies before her offspring emerge from the nest when they have developed into adults. Female solitary bees are able to sting, but are rarely aggressive.
The blue-banded bee (Amegilla sp.) is a common solitary native bee. These bees nest in shallow burrows in the soil under houses, mud bricks or soft mortar. Blue-banded bees have been shown in repeated studies to be effective buzz pollinators, which are critical to the pollination of many crops, such as tomatoes.
Mutant bees and robotic pollinators: Why beekeepers are concerned for the future In March of this year, Walmart filed a series of patents for an autonomous, tiny machine designed as a pollination drone. Their patents include robot bees able to detect pollen and others possessing the ability to hunt down pests. Think A Bug’s Life meets Terminator.
Japan also started researching the viability of tiny robots capable of pollinating plants in the absence of real bees.
WHAT IS HAPPENING ALREADY?
WHAT IS HAPPENING ALREADY?
BEES AND TECHNOLOGY
BEES AND TECHNOLOGY
Teacher Notes
Teacher Notes
The Teacher Notes include descriptions of each activity, resources required, solutions where relevant, and links to the National Curriculum. There may also be additional resources and links.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT -FUTURE ?- FICTION-
FOOD FOR THOUGHT -FUTURE ?- FICTION-
Watch on NETFLIX - Black Mirror season 3, episode 6: "Hated in the Nation" has one true villain — creator Charlie Brooker. (Also, bees.)
Watch on NETFLIX - Black Mirror season 3, episode 6: "Hated in the Nation" has one true villain — creator Charlie Brooker. (Also, bees.)
Robotic bee could help pollinate crops as real bees decline ....now working on developing autonomous drones that could help farmers to pollinate their crops.
Robotic bee could help pollinate crops as real bees decline ....now working on developing autonomous drones that could help farmers to pollinate their crops.
MATHS AND BEES
MATHS AND BEES
How much math does a bee know? Well, you will be surprised to find out that they surely know a little more geometry than most of us (humans).After years and years of evolution they decided to chose hexagons for their honeycombs. And it seems that it is not a random decision. Their process was a long and hard one.
But first, what if honey bees hired systems engineers as consultants? "They designed an algorithm in which servers assessed the profitability of their clients and did their own “waggle dances” to communicate that information to other servers. In a test against a then state-of-the-art algorithm and two other potential methods, the researchers showed that their honey bee algorithm beat the competition. In fact, when they compared the honey bee algorithm to a totally unrealistic, omniscient algorithm that knew where future web traffic would be in advance, they found that under highly variable conditions – which are realistic for many situations on the internet – the honey bee algorithm came out ahead.
LITTLE MATHS RESEARCH HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN WITH AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEES.
LITTLE MATHS RESEARCH HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN WITH AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEES.
The engineering of a Tetragonula Cabonaria hive first looks haphazard as it does not appear symmetrical and ordered but when a hive is split it reveals a HIGHLY COMPLEX ENGINEERED SPIRALSTRUCTURE that supports the health of the Colony.
Structure -
Created to allow movement of bees around and throughout hive (highways)
created to regulate heating and cooling of the hive
specific areas set aside for brood
specific areas created for pollen
specific areas created for food storage.
Below is European Bee Maths research
OTHER SCHOOLS STEM PROJECTS
OTHER SCHOOLS STEM PROJECTS
Microbit Plant Growth unit Plants absorb large quantities of water from their environment. Water is used as a raw material for catabolic reactions such as photosynthesis, as a medium for transport, and to provide support for tissues. ........................
How would participation in the STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy benefit your school? – include information about the current STEM initiatives/programs being implemented at your school, data about senior school enrolments and any other issues you may wish to address
How would participation in the STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy benefit your school? – include information about the current STEM initiatives/programs being implemented at your school, data about senior school enrolments and any other issues you may wish to address
How will your school support and manage this project which is within and across three faculties? – consider communication, collaboration and implementation strategies
How will your school support and manage this project which is within and across three faculties? – consider communication, collaboration and implementation strategies
What role will each school team member play in the STEM program and what does each teacher hope to learn from their participation in this program?
What role will each school team member play in the STEM program and what does each teacher hope to learn from their participation in this program?
How will you evaluate and refine the identified teaching and learning strategies both within and across disciplines?
How will you evaluate and refine the identified teaching and learning strategies both within and across disciplines?
How will your school build upon this project to improve teaching/pedagogy?
How will your school build upon this project to improve teaching/pedagogy?
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