Honey Bee 101: An Educational Honey Bee & Beekeeping Talk

A fascinating introduction to honey bees, beekeeping, pollination and life inside the hive.

Bring the world of honey bees to your classroom, workplace, club or community with Honey Bee 101, an engaging educational presentation from The Giddy Bee.

Designed for children and adults alike, this presentation takes audiences beyond the basic question of “How do bees make honey?” to explore how a honey bee colony works, why bees matter, what beekeepers actually do and how the environment around a hive shapes the bees—and the honey they produce.

Whether we’re speaking to a classroom of curious elementary students, a garden club, a community organization or a corporate lunch-and-learn, the presentation is adapted to the age, interests and knowledge level of the audience.

What Will You Learn About Honey Bees?

Depending on the audience and length of the program, Honey Bee 101 may explore:

• How a honey bee colony works and the different roles of the queen, workers and drones
• How bees communicate, gather nectar and pollen, and make honey
• Why pollination is important to our food system and environment
• What happens inside a beehive throughout the year
• The tools and equipment used by a beekeeper
• What beekeepers actually do when caring for a colony
• The difference between honey bees, native bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets
• Bee safety — how to behave around bees and what to do when you encounter them
• Simple, practical ways to help honey bees and other pollinators
• How weather, plants, geography and seasons influence bees and honey
• Common challenges honey bees and beekeepers face

There is always time for questions—and audiences usually have plenty of them.

More Than a Slide Presentation

Honey Bee 101 combines storytelling and education with photographs, presentation slides and real beekeeping equipment so participants can see and understand the tools, hive components and materials used by a beekeeper.

For younger children, the program can also include a more hands-on, tactile experience, giving participants the opportunity to see and safely handle selected pieces of beekeeping equipment, hive components and other educational materials.

Depending on the season, weather, location, event logistics and the needs of the bees, an enclosed observation hive containing live honey bees may also be available for select programs.

Because the health and safety of the bees always come first, an observation hive cannot be guaranteed and should be considered a special seasonal addition rather than a standard part of every presentation.

Perfect for Schools, Businesses & Community Groups

Honey Bee 101 can be customized for elementary, middle and high school students as well as adult audiences.

It is a great fit for:

• Schools and homeschool groups
• Libraries
• Garden clubs
• Civic and community organizations
• Senior communities
• Scout groups
• Environmental and agricultural programs
• Corporate lunch-and-learns
• Employee engagement or sustainability programming
• Conferences and private organizations
• Community festivals and public events

There is no set audience maximum for this presentation. Programs can be adapted for an individual classroom, a small club or a larger assembly or event.

How Long Is Honey Bee 101?

Most presentations are 30–60 minutes, depending on the age of the audience and your available schedule.

For younger children, we generally recommend a shorter, highly visual and tactile 20–30 minute program with plenty of interaction and opportunities to see beekeeping equipment up close.

Elementary programs typically run 30–40 minutes, while older students and adult groups often benefit from a 45–60 minute presentation with additional time for questions and conversation.

Have a specific time requirement? We can customize the program to fit your event.

Honey Bee 101 Pricing

Schools & Nonprofit Organizations

Starting at $175

Special educational pricing is available for schools and qualifying nonprofit and community organizations.

Extended programs, multiple classroom visits and customized presentations can also be arranged.

Businesses & For-Profit Organizations

Starting at $295

Perfect for corporate lunch-and-learns, employee programming, conferences, private organizations, community developments and other business-sponsored events.

Custom presentations, extended programs and multiple sessions are available by request.

Travel fees may apply based on event location.

Can Honey Bee 101 Be Customized?

Yes.

One of the strengths of Honey Bee 101 is that the presentation can be adjusted to match your audience.

A kindergarten class may spend more time discovering who lives inside a hive, safely exploring beekeeping equipment, learning basic bee safety and talking about simple ways they can help bees.

A garden club might explore pollinator habitat, seasonal forage and ways to create more bee-friendly spaces.

An adult community group may want to learn more about beekeeping, honey production, colony life and supporting pollinators.

A corporate audience may prefer a broader presentation connecting honey bees, agriculture, sustainability, teamwork and the fascinating organization of a colony.

Tell us who will be attending and what you're curious about, and we'll tailor the conversation accordingly.

Will You Bring Live Honey Bees?

Possibly!

When season, weather, hive conditions, venue requirements and scheduling allow, we may be able to bring a fully enclosed observation hive so participants can safely see live honey bees at work.

Because moving bees should never come at the expense of colony health, live bees are not guaranteed with every presentation.

Real hive equipment, beekeeper tools, photographs and visual materials are incorporated into the presentation regardless.

Who Leads Honey Bee 101?

Honey Bee 101 is presented by Anne Marie Katalenas, founder and beekeeper behind The Giddy Bee.

Anne Marie is a Certified South Carolina Beekeeper and Level 1 Certified Honey Sommelier through the American Honey Tasting Society. She currently serves as Vice President of the Lancaster County Beekeepers Association and has been recognized for her work in the beekeeping community at both the local and state level.

Her honors include South Carolina Beekeepers Association Volunteer of the Year, Lancaster County Volunteer of the Year, and Lancaster County Beekeeper of the Year.

An experienced corporate and community speaker, Anne Marie is equally comfortable presenting to professional audiences, civic groups, families and children. Her presentation style is engaging, conversational and adaptable, allowing each Honey Bee 101 program to meet the age, interests and experience level of the audience.

She combines hands-on beekeeping experience with a passion for helping people better understand honey bees, pollination, honey and the important relationship between the hive and the environment around it.

Her work includes community education, beekeeper mentorship, children's programming, honey sensory education and interactive experiences for both youth and adults.

The goal isn't simply to teach a collection of bee facts.

It's to help participants walk away with a greater understanding of honey bees, more confidence around them and a new appreciation for the world inside the hive.

Bring Honey Bee 101 to Your Group

Looking for a honey bee speaker for your school, classroom, business, club or community organization in the greater Charlotte region or surrounding communities?

We'd love to bring Honey Bee 101 to you.

School & Nonprofit Programs — Starting at $175
Business & For-Profit Programs — Starting at $295

To inquire about availability, email us at Hello@thegiddybee.com with your preferred date or dates, the type of group you’re booking for, and the experience you’re interested in.

We’ll follow up with availability, program options and any additional details needed to help you plan your event.