Tips for Engagement:

• Make it a Learning Unit: Turn the Census into a science unit on insects, ecology, and community science.
• Hands-On Counting: Guide students through the counting process, emphasizing careful observation and data recording.
• Graphing and Analysis: After the Census, have students graph their findings and discuss what they observed (e.g., which plants attracted the most pollinators, types of pollinators seen).
• Need some quick and easy resources for your Census event? Check out our Pollinator Outreach Kit item list.

Activities to Build Momentum:

• Pollinator Garden Creation: Work with students to establish a small pollinator garden or a container garden dedicated to pollinator plants.
• Insect Observation Journal: Encourage students to keep a journal of their observations, drawing the pollinators they see and noting their behaviors.
• Pollinator Crafts & Art: Engage students in creative projects like drawing diagrams of pollinators, creating insect models, or writing pollinator-themed poems.

Utilizing Extension- and Research-Based Resources:

• GSePC "Resources for Educators": This section of the website offers PowerPoints, lesson plans, activity sheets (like insect observation and honey bee roles), and ideas for integrating math and language arts.
• N.C. Cooperative Extension 4-H: Check with your local 4-H program for pollinator-related curricula or projects.
• The Nature Conservancy's "Garden Lesson Plan: Habitat and Pollinators": Provides a framework for conducting a species census and understanding habitat.
• The Bee Cause Project: This organization works with specialists at Southeastern universities and has developed a robust resource library of activities, curricula, grants and certifications.