On World Bee Day, May 20th 2022, Jelsa's Secondary School celebrated the culmination of the "BEE HAPPY" project, which was financed by the Ministry of Science and Education to the tune of 15,500 kn as an extra-curricular subject.
The aim of the project is to teach pupils, teachers and the wider public to become aware of the problems caused by the loss of bees in Nature. Bees are exposed to a variety of dangers on a daily basis, and it is critically important to work towards preserving them. This project expresses the will to educate the population about the real problems relating to the threats which bees are continually facing in Nature. To help bring the message home, part of the project is the presentation of how bees really function in their own environment.
Nikolina Carić is the agritourism teacher who is the project coordinator, assisted by her colleagues Božana Damjanić Majdak (Croatian language teacher) and Katijana Petrić (the school's accountant). Nikolina describes how the project was organized: "Within the scope of this project, we organized education sessions in the local kindergartens, while the first observation beehive on Hvar was set up in the Jelsa school garden called 'Klokun'. The official opening was attended by children from the Jelsa and Vrboska kindergartens. Fourth Grade pupils on the agritourism technicians' course, together with myself held educational workshops for the children. They were given T-shirts, certificates, educational materials, books and melliferous plant seeds to sow in their own gardens."
She emphasized that through this they wanted to encourage the children and the wider public to take an interest in bees and care for them, as, sadly, every day we are witnessing their declining numbers and deaths, most especially through the uncontrolled use of pesticides.
Also involved in the project were the registered Associations "Moj škoj" (My Island) and "Prijatelji otoka Šćedra" (Friends of the Šćedro Islet), who are in total agreement with the aims of the project, having recognized its value from the start.
Nikolina went on to describe the value of the practical teaching: "It is worth adding that our pupils are delighted with the project, and took to heart the issue that it is important to pass on this knowledge to the younger generations. The topic of 'Beekeeping' is part of their curriculum, and this provided the ideal opportunity for practical teaching sessions. The children took part in the workshop with enthusiastic enjoyment, and it will certainly stay in their minds as a happy memory. The observation beehive will be accessible to everyone interested, and will serve for practical teaching sessions. We want the project to continue so that in future years the other kindergartens and schools on Hvar can join in."
Ana Marija Jakas (Prijatelji otoka Šćedra) added in her statement at the opening: "...Our Association joined in with this project, because we are engaged in protecting the environment and preserving our natural heritage on our beloved islet off the south coast of Hvar, which is an oasis for bees because of its flora, especially rosemary. Besides, we feel that projects like this serve the useful purpose of educating the public, most of all the very young who are the future of our island."
At the end of the official ceremony Nikolina Carić thanked everyone present, expressing special gratitude to her pupils who took part with such dedication. Seeing their wholehearted engagement was like seeing a bright light for the future of beekeeping on Dalmatia's sunniest island.
Nikolina Carić is the agritourism teacher who is the project coordinator, assisted by her colleagues Božana Damjanić Majdak (Croatian language teacher) and Katijana Petrić (the school's accountant). Nikolina describes how the project was organized: "Within the scope of this project, we organized education sessions in the local kindergartens, while the first observation beehive on Hvar was set up in the Jelsa school garden called 'Klokun'. The official opening was attended by children from the Jelsa and Vrboska kindergartens. Fourth Grade pupils on the agritourism technicians' course, together with myself held educational workshops for the children. They were given T-shirts, certificates, educational materials, books and melliferous plant seeds to sow in their own gardens."
She emphasized that through this they wanted to encourage the children and the wider public to take an interest in bees and care for them, as, sadly, every day we are witnessing their declining numbers and deaths, most especially through the uncontrolled use of pesticides.
Also involved in the project were the registered Associations "Moj škoj" (My Island) and "Prijatelji otoka Šćedra" (Friends of the Šćedro Islet), who are in total agreement with the aims of the project, having recognized its value from the start.
Nikolina went on to describe the value of the practical teaching: "It is worth adding that our pupils are delighted with the project, and took to heart the issue that it is important to pass on this knowledge to the younger generations. The topic of 'Beekeeping' is part of their curriculum, and this provided the ideal opportunity for practical teaching sessions. The children took part in the workshop with enthusiastic enjoyment, and it will certainly stay in their minds as a happy memory. The observation beehive will be accessible to everyone interested, and will serve for practical teaching sessions. We want the project to continue so that in future years the other kindergartens and schools on Hvar can join in."
Ana Marija Jakas (Prijatelji otoka Šćedra) added in her statement at the opening: "...Our Association joined in with this project, because we are engaged in protecting the environment and preserving our natural heritage on our beloved islet off the south coast of Hvar, which is an oasis for bees because of its flora, especially rosemary. Besides, we feel that projects like this serve the useful purpose of educating the public, most of all the very young who are the future of our island."
At the end of the official ceremony Nikolina Carić thanked everyone present, expressing special gratitude to her pupils who took part with such dedication. Seeing their wholehearted engagement was like seeing a bright light for the future of beekeeping on Dalmatia's sunniest island.
