Free virtual Buzz into Pollination workshops available for teachers

April 18, 2022 at 6:00 am KJFM Radio

MISSOURI — Pollinators such as butterflies and bees are important to people and the natural world. They can also be classroom teaching tools. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering free virtual Buzz into Pollination workshops to help teachers incorporate pollinators into classroom instruction for grades 3 through 8. These virtual two-hour workshops will be offered at various dates and times this summer for teacher convenience.

“People depend on pollination for one-third of our food, and the wind, insects, and other creatures that pollinate are vitally important to human survival,” said Kathi Moore, MDC conservation educator. “Teachers will receive a curriculum guide with hands-on lesson plans that support the Next Generation Science Standards, making it easy for them to implement pollinator education in the classroom. Teachers will also learn how to build pollinator habitat on their school grounds so students can study life cycles in nature.”

This is the first year MDC is offering this curriculum to teachers, said Ginger Miller, MDC conservation educator. Registration is required.

“The value to teachers is that they receive knowledge, a free curriculum guide, and several of our printed resources to enrich their classrooms,” Miller said. “Our resources meet science and cross-curricular standards with engaging materials.”

The workshop dates, times, and registration links:

3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, Buzz into Pollination | MDC Teacher Portal (mo.gov).
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, Buzz into Pollination | MDC Teacher Portal (mo.gov).
9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19, Buzz into Pollination | MDC Teacher Portal (mo.gov).
1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, Buzz into Pollination | MDC Teacher Portal (mo.gov).
9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 8, Buzz into Pollination | MDC Teacher Portal (mo.gov).
1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 8, Buzz into Pollination | MDC Teacher Portal (mo.gov).

For more information, contact Ginger Miller at 660-885-8179, ext. 4946, Ginger.Miller@mdc.mo.gov; or contact Kathi Moore at 573-248-2530, ext. 6378, Kathi.Moore@mdc.mo.gov.