On Wednesday, May 15, sixth grade students in The Ethel Walker School’s Ecology class traveled to an elementary school in Simsbury, Connecticut to present to second grade students about the importance of honeybees. The Walker’s students discussed the process of pollination, threats to the honeybee population, and why honeybees should be protected. The students were divided into two groups, with each group presenting to two different second grade classes. The second graders had the opportunity to ask questions, and enjoyed a taste test between store-bought and raw honeycomb honey from Walker’s apiary.

Walker’s apiary began as a proposal in 2013 by Environmental Science students concerned about the damaging effects colony collapse disorder has on the global bee population and agriculture at large. The sixth grade Ecology class was the first group of students to visit the apiary last fall, and have been studying about honeybees and beekeeping with help from a professional beekeeper and who is also the parent of a Walker’s sixth grader.

The Ethel Walker School is an independent, college preparatory day and boarding school for girls in grades six through 12, located in Simsbury, Connecticut. Since 1911, The Ethel Walker School has excelled at preparing students to make a difference in the world. Members of this diverse community are dedicated to scholarship, the arts, athletics, wellness, and service. The satisfaction of achievement and joy of friendship are fundamental principles as the School empowers girls to lead with integrity, confidence, courage, and conviction.