New Perspectives in Science Education
Assessment of Changes in Knowledge of Honey Bees and the Ecological Importance of Pollinators through Experiential Learning
Alexandra Maruniaková, University of Trnava; Apitera (civic association) (Slovakia)
Ľuboš Maruniak, Apitera (civic association) (Slovakia)
Lenka Masaryková Pukalovičová, Deutsche Schule Bratislava (Slovakia)
Ivan Iľko, University of Trnava (Slovakia)
Viera Peterková, University of Trnava (Slovakia)
Abstract
The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is an important pollinator essential for the reproduction of flowering plants and biodiversity conservation [1]. Research indicates that children develop conceptions of the ecological functions of living organisms as early as preschool age [2], while experiential learning connects theoretical knowledge with practical activities through direct experience and active discovery [3, 4]. The study aimed to assess changes in the knowledge of kindergarten children and primary school pupils in grades 1–4 regarding honey bee biology, pollination, and ecological relationships following beekeeping workshops. The research employed an intervention design with a pretest and posttest. The research instrument was adapted from Melis et al. [2], focusing on the ecological functions of organisms and their relationships. The workshops were conducted in cooperation with the civic association Apitera as part of the Bees for People project, supported by the VÚB Foundation. Age-differentiated activities included observing live bees in a demonstration hive, examining their morphology using a stereomicroscope, direct contact with live drones, simulations of pollination, bee dances and colony defensive behaviour, demonstrations of beekeeping equipment, creative activities using beeswax, and an introduction to honey. Data analysis focused on comparing pretest and posttest results to identify changes in knowledge of honey bee biology, pollination, ecological functions and the interdependence of organisms. The study thus contributes to empirical knowledge of the development of ecological understanding in preschool and primary education.
Keywords: experiential learning; environmental education; honey bees; pollination; preschool education; primary education
REFERENCES
[1] Potts S. G., et al., Safeguarding pollinators and their values to human well-being, Nature, 540, 2016, pp. 220–229. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature20588
[2] Melis C., et al., Kindergarten children's perception about the ecological roles of living organisms, Sustainability, 12(22), 2020, article 9565. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229565
[3] Kolb D. A., Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1984.
[4] Susiloningsih E., et al., Experiential learning model in science learning: Systematic literature review, Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(9), 2023, pp. 550–557. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i9.4452
