Bee School, Module 2: Catching Bees & Preparing Specimens

When I first read the title of Module 2 — Catching Bees and Preparing Specimens — my heart sank a little. It wasn’t the catching that made me uneasy, it was the life I would have to take.

As I shared in my Module 1 reflections, there’s a necessity behind this process. Collecting a very small number of bees provides vital information for scientists building Bee Atlases, the data maps that guide conservation decisions. Without these specimens, we can’t protect future generations. Still, knowing that doesn’t erase the weight of it.

Because my collection kit took a while to arrive, I ended up collecting my bees at the end of summer. That timing brought me some comfort — most of the bees I encountered were likely near the end of their natural life cycle.

The kit itself came stocked with everything I needed: collection jars, the cocktail to gently gas them, specialized tissues for them to rest on, labels, and even a bee net. I didn’t need the net, though. Instead, I moved quickly with my jar, scooping a bee in and closing the lid before it even had time to react.

Before I started, I had to talk myself into it. I remember standing in the garden, heart pounding with both excitement and anxiety. I shook my head, whispered a thank you to the bees, and got to work. One jar, then another, then another. Within minutes, I had collected what I needed for the course.

To my surprise, I felt relief and even pride. I had done it — stepped outside my comfort zone, taken on the hard part, and moved forward.

The next step was preparing the specimens. To study them properly, each bee must be placed on a specialized pin. This allows us to see their delicate features in detail under a microscope.

This was harder than I expected. Bees are so small, so fragile, and it took steady hands with tweezers to get them positioned correctly. As I worked, I silently thanked each bee for its life, promising it would not be in vain. Their sacrifice is helping me learn, and in turn, helping protect future generations.

Module 2 wasn’t easy for me. But completing it made me feel proud — proud for doing something uncomfortable, for learning a new skill, and for deepening my respect for these incredible creatures.

I no longer feel fear when I look at bees. Instead, I’m in awe. They work tirelessly for such short lives, snatching quick moments of food and rest in a world that throws pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change at them. It’s astonishing what they endure just to survive.

What You Can Do to Help Bees

We can all take small steps to make the world a little easier for bees:

• Plant native flowers  — they provide nectar and pollen throughout the seasons.

• Avoid pesticides & chemicals  — they harm bees directly and disrupt ecosystems.

• Leave wild spaces  — even a small patch of “messy” garden with weeds, leaves, or bare ground can provide nesting sites.

• Provide water  — a shallow dish with pebbles gives bees a safe place to land and drink.

• Support local farmers & beekeepers  — buying local produce reduces reliance on harmful agricultural practices.

Every little action helps.

Module 2 tested me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also brought me closer to my goal of becoming a Bee Conservation Guardian. I’m proud, grateful, and more determined than ever.

Stay tuned for Module 3: Entering and Verifying Records.