Did you know that honeybees dance? Do you know why bees build honeycombs in the shape of a hexagon? Do you know how many eyes honeybees have?

Bees have a secret life inside their hives... and NOW we can see what goes on in a live beehive!

HHCA's Digital Beehive & The Bee Cause Project

This fall, HHCA welcomed our Lower School students to a reimagined library space thanks to creative planning and mentor collaboration across all three HHCA divisions. In addition to books, our library space is now home to a Digital Beehive, obtained through The Bee Cause Project in partnership with the Savannah Bee Company. Initially created for the elementary school classroom, the Bee Cause Project has grown to include businesses and community organizations worldwide, who now have the opportunity to bring awareness of honeybees and pollinators to everyone. The Bee Cause Project founders hope to inspire students of all ages to learn about and protect these precious pollinators through the Digital Beehive Experience. 

More About the Hive

The Digital Beehive is an innovative way for students to learn about the honeybee and this vital ecosystem. It provides the opportunity to explore the secret life of bees with a round-the-clock look inside the hive without actually having live bees on the grounds. Since the beginning of the school year, HHCA's Lower School students have enjoyed the new interactive display, checking in on the bees throughout the week and learning about the work the bees do together every day within the hive.  

In addition to the Digital Beehive, The Bee Cause Project has provided HHCA with curriculum, projects, books, and other beekeeping resources designed to teach collaboration, inspire curiosity, and foster STEAM skills through discovery-based learning. 

Partnering with Middle School & Upper School Students

HHCA is grateful to the Middle and Upper School students who contributed to the Lower School library project. Under the leadership of Mrs. Adams and Ms. McGowan, the MS/US Environmental Club raised the money needed to purchase the Digital Beehive for our Lower School friends. At the same time, artists in Mrs. Houston's ceramics class created a ceramic beehive, which is now on permanent display in the library. A clay art piece titled "Bee-Hind the Scenes" is also on display in the library. Inspired by cartoons the students watched during childhood, this piece was a collaborative work completed by nine Upper School students in the Spring of 2023.

Mrs. Buck, HHCA’s Lower School Librarian, is known for her love of bees and is thrilled about the addition of the Digital Beehive to the library. She even created a "Bee the Light" theme to accompany the Spiritual Life department's Marvelous Light theme for the 2023-2024 school year. When asked about the student's response to the Digital Beehive, Mrs. Buck shared that the students are very eager to learn about bees this year. 

Our Lower School students are VERY motivated to locate the "Queen Bee" on the screen. Kindergarten is excited to begin a BEE study over the next few weeks to go along with their reading curriculum. - Susan Buck  

You can learn more about The Bee Cause Project HERE.  

Questions?

IReach out to Mrs. Buck.