Children in the 3rd grade classes of the two elementary schools Lehbesch and Neumünster took the opportunity to learn more about nature together with their teachers. Currently, they laid a bee pasture with Klaus Nehren from the Ziegelhütte Fruit and Horticulture Association.
Klaus Nehren: “The children are enthusiastic.”
The tools and accessories were already prepared at Neumünster Elementary School. The soil was prepared. The sowing of the bee pasture began, and the children enjoyed it. There was quite a bit to consider. The seed had to be mixed first. Finally, it had to be evenly spread on the ground and pressed down. Watering cans were ready. Klaus Nehren: “Because without plenty of water there will be no bloom.” He then went into detail about the background and connections of the project, about natural cycles, the importance of bees and insects, and much more.
Voluntarily engaged members of the Ottweiler-Ziegelhütte Fruit and Horticulture Association as well as the Beekeeping Association and others made participation in the interactive activities possible. The kickoff for the school project titled: “From Blossom to Pollination to Fruit to Product” already took place at Neumünster Elementary School and then at Lehbesch Elementary School.
Among others, Bank 1 Saar, Sparkasse Neunkirchen, and the youth office of the city of Ottweiler support the project as sponsors and additional partners. New as a sponsor is the Heimat- und Verkehrsverein of the city of Ottweiler. The chairwoman, Marion Strempel, accompanied the creation of the bee pasture: “I coordinated with the other chairs Brigitte Meister and Ralf Hoffmann as well as with the board. Everyone thought it was great what the Obst- und Gartenbauverein Ziegelhütte is doing with the children.”
Project leader Klaus Nehren informed the schools some time ago about the nature study lessons. In both elementary schools, the children received the learning brochure “Bees and the Honey Researchers” along with the accompanying booklet “My colorful bee coloring book.” This use of printed materials is accompanied by the teaching of further basics in science lessons. In the next step, the students were informed by members of the Ottweiler Beekeeping Association using films and demonstration materials. A school field trip took the children to the Scherschel orchard in Breitenbach. There, the focus was on the role of insects and bees in nature and in blooming. After breakfast, the students went insect hunting with a magnifying box. They were allowed to observe the insects quietly and then release them again. Around the respective elementary school, another foundation was to be laid to inspire children for local nature. They also took responsibility for flower meadows. This was now the case.
A school hiking day in autumn is dedicated to the apple. On a selected orchard meadow, apples are harvested. These are transported by volunteers of the Obst- und Gartenbauverein to the club’s own press and pressed together with the students. The apple juice, bottled in five-liter bags, is provided by the club to the students. A remaining amount is given to the respective school support association for sale.
The project, which was carried out with great success last year, starts in grade 3 and ends in grade 4, so that the same children can carry out the project across school years.
