Illinois 4-H

Exploring Beekeeping
Spark Activity: Leaping Pollen
 
 Honeybees are expert hexagonal honeycomb cell builders!
A hexagon is more compact than any other shape with no wasted space in between each hexagon! The bee uses less energy and wax to build it, which means that bees can use their energy on other important activities—specifically, foraging and making honey. The honeycomb is the inner house for honey bees. It is where young bees are raised and where their food is stored. Comb is built out of beeswax, which is produced only by young worker bees. (A worker bee is a female bee and they make up about 99% of the hive’s population). Bees make these hexagons perfectly each time! Draw a circle and see if you can fill it with hexagon shapes that fit perfectly.

Bees and flowers have a very special relationship. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from one flower to another causing fertilization and reproduction. Bees and other insects are called pollinators when they carry pollen on their bodies and help pollination. Can you think of other pollinators such as the wind, a wasp, a moth, etc.? Bees, however, are by far the best pollinators!

This activity shows how a charged balloon behaves like the charged bee body making pollen leap from a flower.

Materials needed:

• scissors
• construction paper
• tissue paper
• balloon
• your hair or a fuzzy sweater.

Directions:

1. Make a flower - Use scissors to cut a flower shape out of the construction paper.
2. Make your pollen – Cut or tear pieces of tissue into small confetti like pieces and make a pile in the center of your paper flower.
3. Make the bee – Blow up your balloon and tie the end. You are welcome to decorate the balloon like a bee. Rub your “bee” on your hair or sweater for at least 10 seconds.
4. Hunt for pollen – Hold your “bee” near the flower with the pollen but don’t actually touch them together. What happens?