Need some advice

[Tyrone]

I received a phone call today from a guy who wants me to give a short presentation on beekeeping to a group of 8 to 10 year old children and their parents.  I told him I would gladly take on the task.  Unfortunately I've only been keeping bees for 3 years and I have never done anything like this.  I would appreciate it greatly if some on you could email me with ideas and sources for any teaching aids I might use in the presentation.  I thought about taking a few frames of cured honey and extracting it and giving sample tastes to the kids and maybe setting up an observation hive to show a couple of frames of bees working.

[jason58104]

I have done several groups like this.  It is best to keep it simple.  I would bring one frame of honey and one frame of empty comb.  Talk about what you know.  Kieth Delaplane has written a good beginers book if you feel you need a text.  If you have your own photos bring them.  Most importantly have fun with it and your audance will also!

[dragonfly]

I would also consider taking equipment like a smoker, tools, and stuff like that. Kids love to do "hands-on" stuff, and making it a tactile experience will imprint it in their memory better and make some of them really interested. Let them manipulate and interact.

[Kathyp]

if it's a close up presentation, pin a drone, worker, and queen if you have a preserved queen around.  if not, a picture, so that they can see the difference.