MASON BEES EDU EDUCATOR MODULES

Each module includes background information for educators, vocabulary words, activities, and discussion questions. All content, images, and videos are downloadable at no cost.

BEE PHYLOGENY AND DIVERSITY

Phylogenetics, Evolution, Life Histories, Species Richness

Globally, there are over 20,000 species of bees and over 4,000 in the United States alone, but many people are only familiar with the honeybee! What are these other species, and how did they evolve?

BEE ANATOMY

Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology, Mimicry

What makes a bee a bee? Learn how anatomy helps illuminate the intricacies of bee behavior and pollination and how to identify a bee.

LIFE CYCLE, DEVELOPMENT, AND REPRODUCTION

Life Cycle, Reproduction, Climate Change, Phenology

How does a bee transform from a tiny white larva to a prolific flying pollinator? Well, Butterflies aren't the only insects that weave cocoons.

SEX DETERMINATION AND ALLOCATION

Genetics, Conservation, Population Ecology

Peek into the strange genetics of sex determination in bees and learn how this unique system impacts bee conservation. This module's activity must be completed between September and March.

MASON BEES AS POLLINATORS

Pollination biology, Plant science, Pollinator Limitation, Agriculture

Without pollinators, our diet would be very bleak. Insects pollinate about 85% of major food crops, but some bees are better pollinators than others.

FORAGING BEHAVIOR IN MASON BEES

Animal Behavior, Central Place Foraging, Pollinator Biology, Agriculture

What are bees doing all day? Learn about what makes a bee so busy, their foraging strategies, and how bad weather keeps more than just humans indoors.

Where do bees live, and why do they collect pollen? Learn about how mason bees prepare for the next generation and why it is such a monumental task. This module's activity must be completed in mid to late May.

BEE DECLINE - WHAT DO WE KNOW?

Conservation, Museum collections, Extinction

Researchers worldwide are racing to understand how bees are responding to environmental change and what is causing their decline, but what do we know so far, and how do we know it?

DRIVERS OF BEE DECLINE - WHAT YOU CAN DO

Conservation, Climate Change, Pollinator Gardens, Get Involved!

What is causing bee populations around the world to decline, and what can we do to prevent future declines? Hint: there is a reason for hope and actions you can take to help.