As far as school incursions go, bringing live bees into a school is one that carries more risks than most. But for Messines Bee Farm, it’s all part of the service of educating school-aged children about the wonder of these insects.
Messines Bee Farm has been providing incursions to primary schools in Western Australia for the past two years, educating students about bees and beekeeping. Now, it’s embracing technology so more students can discover what the ‘buzz’ is about.
Starting with two hives in their hometown of Northam, in Western Australia’s wheatbelt, what began as a hobby for Ms Jay Page and her husband, Tony, has now grown into a family-run business with more than 100 hives. Their primary focus has shifted from selling honey to providing educational incursions about the importance of bees and their key role in environmental sustainability.
“We have also launched a live bee camera, so schools can observe a beehive online in real time,” Ms Page says. “Without bees, the world as we know it would cease to exist in four years. Bees pollinate a third of the food that we eat, so they’re essential for our food chain and ecosystems.”
An early childhood education specialist with more than 17 years’ experience, Ms Page has created four play-based hands-on incursions for schools, offering interactive, curriculum-linked programs that include sensory activities and risk assessments.
“Parts of the curriculum that we cover include biological sciences, earth and space sciences, nature and development of science, and design and technologies such as food and fibre production,” Ms Page says.
She says schools that enquire about the incursions often want to know how long the workshops take, and what it involves. She explains that she brings in live bees in an observation hive which is completely sealed so students can observe a real hive in action but can’t get in contact with the bees.
“I provide a risk assessment and our certificate of insurance. If a child has an allergy, we ensure they have parent consent to participate and have their medication with them,” Ms Page says.
“We use an integrated sensory approach. Students will see, touch, hear, taste and smell through the use of play and hands-on resources. Our school incursions are one hour duration with a maximum class size of 30 students. My presentation involves rotations, so we break into groups of three, and then we rotate around activities.”
Messines Bee Farm’s presentation covers the different types of bees, a bee’s lifecycle, how to respond or behave around bees, the plight bees are facing, a demonstration of a beekeeping suit and equipment, honey tasting and the opportunity to smell and touch beeswax.
Based in Northam, Ms Page regularly travels to schools in Perth, an hour away, but also travels to schools within a 500-kilometre radius within regional WA, noting that travel fees may apply.
“Incursions can be a one-off, or schools can progress through all four incursions. There is also the option of including a hands-on craft activity to your incursion such as making a beeswax candle, a bee hotel or a beeswax wrap,” Ms Page says.
Messines Bee Farm is introducing an online program in 2025, to support schools in remote locations to make a ‘beeline’ for educational workshops. It also has teacher resources available, including lesson plans, videos and craft activities.
For more information, visit www.messines.com.au. To enquire about booking an incursion, email workshops@messines.com.au
