By Barb Bolen and Kathleen DeVries, Colorado Master Gardeners

Barb Bolen and Kathleen DeVries, members of the Youth Education Curriculum Committee, have been developing a new set of activity-based modules for grades P-5. These modules are being designed to meet Colorado Academic Standards focused on Life Science, Earth Systems Science and Physical Science. The programs will include a focus on STEM skills and will be delivered by trained Colorado Master Gardener volunteers.

A survey was sent out to teachers across Arapahoe County. Using the results, five topics were selected for development. They include:

• Composting
• Seeds and Life Cycles
• Plant Needs
• Pollinators
• Insect Biodiversity

Because of the interest expressed, Pollinators is the first topic to be developed and it will be used as a prototype for all other modules. This prototype is nearing completion with delivery expected to begin spring of 2020.

The Pollinators program is designed around the concept of the “Five B’s” – Bees, Butterflies, Birds, Bats and Beetles. It consists of three age-appropriate modules and activities, one each for grades P-1, 2-3 and 4-5. The goal for this program is that children will begin to understand the critical role that pollinators play in the ecosystem. Each module has both an instructional element and an activity to help children learn to identify the most common pollinators and understand their importance as well as identify some of the plants that nurture pollinators in our area.

Stay tuned for more information from Arapahoe County Master Gardener volunteers.