Apiary
- Description: An outdoor apiary and an indoor observation hive are both located at HEEC. Students learn about bee behavior and life cycle, the importance of pollinators, and the process of harvesting honey.
- Grade Level: Various grades
- Number of Students Involved: Approximately 500 students annually
- Date: Ongoing
A second grade class observes a HEEC honey bee colony that has swarmed while learning about honeybee behavior and population structure.
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The honey bee swarm attached to the side of a HEEC building.
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A third grade student tastes honey created by bees in the HEEC apiary during a lesson focused on the extraction and processing of honey.
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The observation hive located in the HEEC nature hall. Students can observe the bees in action inside of the hive. Educational information about bees is located at the base of the hive.
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High school students assist as a new bee colony is placed in the observation hive while other students observe.
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The bear-proofed apiary at HEEC, awaiting the arrival of hives filled with new bee populations.
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An excerpt from a high school biology scavenger hunt activity where students visit the apiary when answering a set of questions (Site # 15).
Trails & Arboretum
- Description: The network of trails that winds through HEEC is utilized on a daily basis. Various activities involve taking students on the trails to observe plants, animals, and land forms. Weather permitting, students are taken on a hike following lunch each day to observe their surroundings while getting fresh air and exercise. Students often visit to arboretum where the various tree species are utilized to teach about biodiversity, plant reproduction, and plant adaptations. A hybrid chestnut tree grove was established in the arboretum in 2017 and continues to be maintained.
- Grade Level: pre-k through 12
- Number of Students Involved: Approximately 4,000 students annually
- Date: ongoing
A student uses a field guide to identify a tree along a trail during a biology scavenger hunt activity.
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An elementary class follows an HEEC instructor down a trail in search of native and invasive species.
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A high school class enters the arboretum at the start of an activity.
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Trees in the hybrid chestnut grove that was added to the arboretum are currently surrounded by fencing to prevent deer browse.
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Tree Identification & Labels
- Description: HEEC has collaborated with Maryland DNR Forest Service employees and the Garrett County Forestry Board to identify all tree species located on the grounds. The location of one specimen for each species has been recorded. These specimens have been marked with a number. Students are able to use these marked trees for various activities related to identification, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. The trees are also utilized by outside groups including Envirothon teams and college classes for tree identification.
- Grade Level: Varies, depending on activities completed each year
- Number of Students Involved: Approximately 600 students annually
- Date: Project began in 2018. Utilization is ongoing.
Following is an email from a DNR Forest Service employee that includes the list of species identified by the foresters thus far and their location.
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Invoice for a set of number plaques to place at the trees.
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Students observe the characteristics of a numbered spruce tree during an identification activity.
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