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What's Happening to Honey Bees?

Secondary

Description

Honey bee operations are in sharp decline throughout North America and Europe. Many large beekeeping operators are reporting that up to 40 or 50 percent of their swarms have mysteriously disappeared.  This fast-paced and entertaining video introduces students to the implications of this decline, the possible causes, and the reactions by farmers and governments.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

The decline in bee populations provides an excellent case study of the interrelationships (among society, the environment and the economy) that guide sustainable development. The video has relevance for a number of subject areas. 

Science/ Environmental Science units related to pollination and plant reproduction; herbicides/ pesticide use and environmental degradation; sustainability of ecosystems

Social Studies/Economic units related to agriculture industry and government regulations

Geography units that explore the impacts of human activity on the environment.

The video should be used to introduce the issue of honey bee declines as it provides a quick overview of the relevant data, the consequences, the possible causes and responses that may be adopted.  

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Biological Diversity
        • Knowledge and Employability Science: Biological Diversity (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
    • Grade 11
  • British Columbia
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    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geographic Issues of the 21 st Century: Food from the Land
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Senior 2 Science: Dynamics of Ecosystems
    • Grade 12
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Environment
        • Global Issues
  • New Brunswick
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    • Grade 9
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Learning and Living Sustainably
        • Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Scientific Literacy
    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Advanced Environmental Science 120: Earth Systems
        • Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Investigating Environmental Issues
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1206: Sustainability of Ecosystems
    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 3205: Land Use & the Environment
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Biological Diversity
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10: Sustainability of Ecosystems
    • Grade 11
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      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geography of Canada 11: Geography of Risk
    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • AP Environmental Science: Land and Water
  • Nunavut
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    • Grade 9
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Biological Diversity
        • Knowledge and Employability Science: Biological Diversity (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
  • Ontario
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    • Grade 9
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      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Interactions in the Physical Environment
    • Grade 11
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.) Dynamics and Change
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
    • Grade 12
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      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 431A: Life Science, Sustainability of Ecosystems
    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 621A: Natural Resources
  • Quebec
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    • Grade 9
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • The Contemporary World: Environment
    • Grade 10
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      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
        • Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
        • Science & Technology:The Living World
        • Science and the Environment: The Living World
    • Grade 11
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary World: Environment
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Air Pollution

Ecosystems (2)

  • Endangered Species
  • Interdependence

Food & Agriculture (2)

  • Food Security
  • Pesticides