Secrets of the Hive 2: Advanced Beekeeping

SOH Students explore wild hive

Students explore wild hive @ Science Discovery, Secrets of the Hive Class 2010.

Phase 1: Introduction and Theory

Participants will explore advanced theory and practice of:
- History and importance of Beekeeping
            Types of Hives (natural, box, bar) Advanced exploration of Top Bar, Langstroth and Mayan or Native Beekeeping.
- Advanced technical aspects to Beekeeping
            Types of Hives (natural, box, bar) Advanced exploration of Top Bar, Langstroth, Native, Natural and Observational hives. Maintenance and care techniques explored for each type of hive.
            Swarms, managing and catching swarms.
            Advanced Beekeeper Supplies (extraction, bee health, queen rearing)
- Biology of the Honey Bee [Apis mellifera L.]
            Lifecycle (plants, and bees)
            Pollination (flowers, nectar, and honey production)
            Disease (mites, foulbrood, (CCD) Colony Collapse Disorder) Advanced class explores and examines STEM-A/Science Discovery bee hives for the above, and treats the hive if necessary)
- Culture Bees/Beekeepers
            Bee Society (communication, Jobs, waggle dance)
           Apiaries (importance of the bee, queen capturing, splitting hives) Advanced class closely monitors STEM-A/Science Discovery apiaries applying natural maintenance techniques in the field with students assisting)
            Cultivation (honey, wax and propolis) Advanced students will have an opportunity to extract honey (Seasonal) and/or make advanced projects with bee products from STEM-A/Science Discovery Apiaries.
- Science Observation/Data
            NASA Honey BeeNet (data collection, hive scales, data analysis) Advanced students will be recording data, using excell to plot and determine nectar flows and honey amounts in STEM-A/Science Discovery bee hives.

Phase 2: Practical Experience:
Students explore active bee colonies, with hands on experience in the STEM-A and Science Discovery Apiaries. In the advanced class, students work with several different types of hives, and learn about splitting colonies, capturing queens, and extracting honey. The advanced beekeeping course is for students who have taken the first Secrets of the Hive course and want to further their exploration of Honey Bee Culture, and expand Beekeeper practice.