1. Danielle Olsen(June 2016)
August Drop-in2016: Bumblebee Gardens
ThisDrop-InInternInterpretation activitywouldbe designedtoallow visitorsthe chance to make their
ownbumblebeegardenwhile learningaboutwhybeesare importantandhow we can helpprotect
them.

2. Danielle Olsen(June 2016)
GuidingQuestions:
What isa bumble bee?WhatmakesBumblebeesimportanttous?
How can we helpsave the bumblebees?
What kindsof flowersshouldIplanttohelpsave the bees?Why?
Materials: PlasticWaterBottles
Scissors
Blackand YellowSharpies
White FoamSheets
GooglyEye Stickers
CraftGlue
Tape
Pipe Cleaners
PomPoms
PottingSoil
Native flowerseeds;geraniums,asters,sunflowers
Take Home Sheets
Setup:
Projectcouldeasilybe setupineithercreate spacesor art nook.Table cloths wouldbe necessaryto
containthe potential messinessof the plantingsoil.
Process:
Visitorswouldbe invitedtotake awaterbottle bottomandcolor ityellow andblackwith sharpiesto
mimicthe stripesof the bee.Visitorscanthendecorate the bottle tolooklike a bumblebee.White foam
sheetswill be availabletocut outwings,pompomsandpipe cleanerswill be availableforantennasand
finallygooglyeyestickerswill alsobe available. These piecescanbe eithergluedonortapedon,
whicheverthe visitorprefers.The final stepwill be tofill their completedbumble bee gardenwith
pottingsoil andseeds.

3. Danielle Olsen(June 2016)
Connectionsto SizingIt Up: Scale: Sucha small insect,the bumble bee,makesaverylarge impacton
our lives.
Resources:
On Bumble bees:
https://bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/bumble-kids/
http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/honey-bee-deaths-do-they-matter.html
http://www.bumblebee.org/helpbees.htm
Bumblebees:
The Bumblebee isawidelydistributedsocial insectknownforitsabilitytocollectnectarfromflowers
and pollinate plants.Bumblebeesare large yellow andblackflyinginsectswithadistinctbuzz.There is
variationincolorationamongbumblebeesandsome specieshave bandsof red,yellowandblack.They
have stockybodiesthatare coveredwithmanyhairsto whichpollenadheres.
Bumblebeeshave fourwings.The tworearwingsare small andusuallyattachedtothe fore wingsby a
row of hookscalledhamuli.The wingsmove rapidly,at130-240 beatspersecond.
Bumblebeesare beneficial insects.The bumblebee'scommercial valueisasa pollinatorof crops.
How can we helpthe Bumblebees?:
Bumblebeesneedthree things:
1. A continuoussuccessionof flowerssupplyingnectarandpollenthroughoutthe season
2. A warm, sheltered,usuallysouthfacing,place tonest
3. A secure place for the queenstohibernate
Bumblebee Food:
Bumblebeesdrinknectarandeatpollen - nothingelse,soflowersare neededforfeeding.Ithasbeen
estimatedthata full “honeystomach”will giveabumblebee about40minutesof flyingtime.Without
the energyinnectar a bumblebee cannotfly.If abumblebeecannotflyitcannotreachflowerstoget
nectar - it will die.
Whyare we planting geraniums,asters,sunflowers?:
These flowers provide agoodsource of pollen forbumblebees,youcanhearthemgatheringpollenfrom
some flowersasthey sonicate the antherstodislodge the pollen. Normallythese flowersprovidea
large amountof nectarper flowerandso they are veryuseful forhelpingthe bees.