A BEE WORLD
Ljudska univerza Ormož from Slovenia is concluding their Erasmus project Bee green together with DARS from Italy and school Pod Banošom from Slovakia. During the project we researcher how much knowledge do adults have about the bee world and how they can help bees to continue with their most important mission – pollination. On this basis, we developed a lesson plan, a handbook, children’s books and implemented art exhibitions.
You can read more about project aims and activities in my article Bee Green or bee related project. Besides the activities described in previous article we issued two art calls. A lot of groups and individuals responded and during the preparation of their artwork, they researched the world of bees. The prepared artwork was then exhibited firstly in each organization and secondly at the last meeting in Udine. During the last mobility, DARS prepared interesting art workshops and meetings with beekeepers.
However, the most important results are Bee Green lesson plan, A Bee World handbook and children’s books that were not planned in project application.
The lesson plan presents topics that can be covered in a 30-hour informal educational program by the educators. The topics include learning about the bees and bee world, harvesting and using bee products and suggestions on how to help bees and pollinators to continue with their important pollination process. The lesson plan can be used as written or just as a tool for educators to adapt to their needs and prior knowledge of their participants. The lesson plan is available in Slovene, Slovak, Italian and English.
A Bee World handbook is not closely related to the lesson plan, but it is a book that can be used in various lessons. A Bee World contains descriptions and tasks related to the world of bees from many field like painting, literature, geometry, history, botany. Did you know that Maria von Trapp was a beekeeper who brought took her knowledge from her birth state Austria to the USA? If you don't know who Maria von Trapp was, we recommend watching the movie The Sound of Music. And did you know that the botanical garden in Trieste has Shakespear walks? Or that Slovenia is the heart and soul of beekeeping? And that Slovenia suggest the World Bee Day should be celebrated on 20th May, the birthday of Anton Janša the pioneer of modern beekeeping? All these and many more topics are covered in our handbook and can be used as ideas for extra tasks, explanations or research of a specific field. The handbook is available only in English.
We cordially invite you to take a look at our results and use them at your work. You can access them on these websites: Slovene and English, Italian, Slovak.
Ana Kaučič is employed at the Ljudska univerza Ormož as an education organizer. She is responsible for counseling, project writing, implementing approved projects, and leading English language courses. She has been involved in adult education for over five years, and prior to that, she worked at an elementary school as an English teacher.
