Beehive Exhibit May 17, 2008

Did you know that the honey bee is responsible for pollination of about 90% of the of the food crops in agriculture? At the Heard Natural Science Museum’s new Beehive Exhibit, you can learn this and many more significant facts about this important citizen of our ecosystem and economy.

The Collin County Hobby Bee Keepers Association, a Heard Natural Science Museum affinity group, has generously provided live honey bees for an exhibit in the museum and will maintain their hive. Much like an ant farm, visitors can witness the steps necessary to prepare the bees’ valuable commodities, such as honey and wax, through panes of glass inside the museum’s Living Lab. Unlike an ant farm, however, these bees are actually able to access the outside world through a portal in the wall in order to pollinate plants. Consequently, you will have the opportunity to view realistic bee behavior!

Because this experience is so unique, many children who have already visited, when interviewed, indicated that they had never seen anything like it. The same children also were completely mesmerized while watching it. Even those who were normally very frightened by bees had the courage to study the activities of the bees in this exhibit. Unattainable in everyday life, study of the bee exhibit is safe and fun.

For additional information about the museum, check out our website at www.heardmuseum.org. Admission is $8 adults and $5 for kids 3-12 and seniors.

Official Website: http://www.heardmuseum.org