Building Buzz at Bosque School

At Bosque School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, bees are more than pollinators — they are teachers. Thanks to support from The Bee Cause Project and Whole Kids, the school has woven honey bees into its place-based, experiential approach to education.

From Idea to Hive

For years, faculty and staff dreamed of bringing bees to campus to complement the school’s garden and orchard. Liability concerns delayed the effort until four years ago, when Bosque was finally able to introduce hives. The Bee Cause Project provided financial and educational support, and a partnership with the local beekeeping society connected the school with a dedicated bee mentor, who remains deeply involved to this day.

Student-Led Buzz

While bees were first introduced through the school garden, the greatest enthusiasm came from high schoolers who launched a bee club. Led by passionate student leaders, the club quickly grew into one of the school’s most active groups. Students manage the hives, harvest honey, melt wax for candles and lip balm, and share their knowledge with local farms and community events.

Learning Through Challenges

Like many beekeepers across North America, Bosque experienced significant hive losses during a harsh winter. Instead of discouragement, this became a real-world learning opportunity. Bee club members assessed hive health, reintroduced new colonies, and even helped a nearby heritage farm manage its hives. These hands-on experiences teach resilience, problem-solving, and stewardship.

Expanding the Hive’s Impact

Momentum continues to build. The school has expanded from two hives to four, welcomed younger students into the club, and plans to integrate bees more deeply into the 7th-grade science curriculum. With continued grant support, Bosque hopes to host family planting and harvest days, strengthen community partnerships, and even connect garden harvests and bee products with the school’s lunch program and local food banks.

Cultivating Stewardship

The honey bee program embodies Bosque School’s mission: connecting students to place, community, and nature. As one teacher shared, “Having students out in nature and interacting directly with the plants, animals and soil can be a transformative experience. Bringing the bees on campus has been particularly rewarding because the students can readily see the results of their work.”

With buzzing hives and inspired students, Bosque School is proving how honey bees can spark curiosity, collaboration, and a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship.