Bee Buddies Pollinator Program
A hands-on, student-led program where kids observe real pollination, biodiversity, and seasonal change on their own campus using gentle Mason bees and a simple, student-built bee house.
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Low lift for teachers
Designed for short learning blocks and flexible schedules. -
Real science, right outside
Students build, observe, record, and reflect. No lab needed. -
Safe and school-friendly
Mason bees are solitary, gentle, and rarely sting.
K–12 classrooms
Works for a wide range of grades and learning styles, from simple observation to data tracking and design challenges.
15–30 minutes
Short learning blocks for setup, release day, and observation walks during the active season.
Spring learning
Students watch nesting begin, pollination happen, and seasonal change unfold in real time.
What Your Classroom Receives
Each accepted classroom receives a starter kit that’s easy to manage.
- One 48-hole wood nesting tray
- A starter set of region-appropriate Mason bee cocoons
- Basic mud for nest building
- Build guidelines for a bee house
- Optional virtual lesson from Planet Bee Foundation
What’s included: A simple, classroom-friendly kit that supports student-led observation, care, and seasonal learning.
How Bee Buddies Works
A clear flow helps teachers plan and helps students feel ownership from day one.
Build day
Students help plan and build a simple bee house. Great for design and problem-solving.
Spring release
When conditions are right, students release Mason bee cocoons and begin observation.
Observe + record
Weekly or biweekly walks to watch nesting behavior and seasonal changes.
Reflect + connect
Students connect pollinators to food systems, biodiversity, and community impact.
What Schools Need
Outdoor Space
- A safe outdoor location with morning sun and some afternoon shade
- A place to mount the bee house 3 to 7 feet above ground
- An existing garden area or small outdoor space
Time and Supervision
- A point person to coordinate the program
- Short learning blocks of 15 to 30 minutes
- Observation walks during the active season
Optional idea: Schools can involve their PTA, a high school shop class, or community members in building the bee house. This often becomes a shared school project students feel proud of.
Teacher Support and Program Commitments
Accepted classrooms are invited to a teacher webinar covering setup, spring release, and seasonal care. A recording is available if you can’t attend live.
The goal is confidence so the program feels doable year after year.
To support long-term success, the lead teacher agrees to:
- Continue the program year after year when possible
- Follow Crown Bees’ bee care guidelines
- Share a few photos with permission
- Complete a short end-of-year reflection
- Confirm that an outdoor space or school garden is available
Many classrooms naturally connect pollination to growing food and sharing harvests with their community. Students begin to see how small actions can support people beyond their school.
Planet Bee Foundation
Planet Bee Foundation supports Bee Buddies classrooms with optional live lessons and curriculum resources focused on pollination, engineering design, community science, and climate action.
- Live lessons taught by Planet Bee educators
- Curriculum materials teachers can use independently
- Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards
- Developed for kindergarten through high school, with emphasis on grades three through five
Planet Bee programs are provided at no cost to schools through the support of grantmakers, donors, and corporate partners.
FAQs
Yes. Mason bees are gentle and rarely sting. Schools should follow standard allergy protocols.
Kindergarten through high school.
No. The Quick Start webinar and guidance provide everything needed.
A setup day, spring release, and brief observation walks during the active season.
Yes. The program is designed to continue year after year.
Ready to Apply?
Space is limited. Classrooms are selected based on readiness, outdoor space, and region.
Apply to the Bee Buddies Program