Native Bees

Native bees in our backyards and balconies

Science, Geography, English

Learning Intentions

  1. We are learning why native bees are important.

2. We are learning about small animals that live in my local area.

Teacher information

These learning tasks are designed to introduce students to the wonderful world of native Australian bees. Students will see inside a native bee hive, learn about the importance of native bees, draw a native bee in their Nature Journal and explore their local areas for living things including bees. This may become a platform for the students to then continue their learning about these wonderful animals.

Stage: S1, S2, S3 KLA: Science, Geography, English

Jump Inside a Native Bee Hive

Watch our local bee expert James show us inside a native bee hive. It was fascinating and yes the honey was delicious! Check it out.

Splitting a native bee hive.mov
Video: Splitting a native bee hive | YouTube (0:43 min)

Fun fact: Did you know that not all bees are black and yellow, and not all bees sting?

Australia has 1700 different types of bees, 17 of which do not sting!

Watch the intro video from Brad...mmm...

Video: Bees... I can smell honey! (0:38 min)

Task 1: Beeeecome a bee expert

Watch the video and make some notes in your nature journal about our native bees.

Make a native bee hotel and attract native bees into your garden.mp4
Video: Attracting Native Bees | Gardening Australia | YouTube (6:29 min)

Students write in their nature journals:

  1. Why do you think bees are so special and important?

  2. How many native bees are there in Australia?

  3. What other interesting things did you learn about bees?

Task 2: Draw a Bee

Draw one of the local native bees from the poster in your Nature Journals. Make sure you label the external features.

Image: Keeperandhive.com

Task 3: Local exploration

Vengolis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Time to go outside and discover where bees and other creatures are living.

Can you find any evidence of bees or insects on the plants? Maybe the leaves have been munched on. Can you find a cicada shell? Take your time to walk slowly and sit in nature. 'Maybeeee' you might even see a bee! Sketch what you find.

Fun fact: Is it a bee or a fly?

Bees have two pairs of wings, whereas flies have only one set.

Task 4: Take the Bee Quiz

Test your knowledge in this short quiz on native bees. Good Luck!

Love bees and want to find out more?

Here is a website where you can further ID Your bee here...

More activities for your nature journals!

Download the Nature Journal prompts below. Print a copy and stick it into your nature journal.

My Nature Journal .pdf