Pollinating young minds: Scientific thinking and real-world application through a pollinator curriculum in elementary agriculture and STEM education

Jessica Boone; Taylor Bird; Eric Rubenstein; James Leaphart; Madelyn Wells

doi:10.37433/aad.v6i4.661

Authors

Jessica H. Boone University of Georgia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3792-1878
Taylor D. Bird University of Georgia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3320-2591
Eric D. Rubenstein University of Georgia
James C. Leaphart University of North Georgia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4864-5644
Madelyn D. Wells University of North Georgia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1801-5200

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v6i4.661

Keywords:

agricultural education, scaffolded instruction, elementary STEM, pollinator education, applied science

Abstract

Pollinators are vital for agricultural sustainability, yet their populations face increasing threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. This study aimed to design and evaluate a five-day instructional unit for fifth-grade students focused on pollinator conservation and the human impacts affecting pollinator populations. Grounded in Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, the curriculum incorporated scaffolded, inquiry-based strategies to foster both scientific understanding and environmental stewardship. Using a one-group pretest–posttest design, data were collected from 104 students across three classrooms in Georgia. A researcher-developed assessment measured content knowledge and self-reported confidence. Results indicated significant gains in student comprehension with mean scores improving by over four points. Students also reported higher confidence in their understanding of pollinator conservation. Findings suggest that scaffolded, real-world instruction effectively enhances elementary learners’ knowledge and engagement with environmental issues. Recommendations include integrating pollinator concepts into state science standards, expanding professional development for teachers, and conducting longitudinal studies to assess retention and behavior change. This study demonstrates the potential of early agricultural literacy initiatives to build student capacity for addressing sustainability challenges.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alsafran, M., Rizwan, M., Usman, K., Saleem, M. H., & Al Jabri, H. (2022). Neonicotinoid insecticides in the environment: A critical review of their distribution, transport, fate, and toxic effects. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 10, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2022.108485 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2022.108485

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. (6th Ed.). SAGE Publications.

Field, A. (2019). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Georgia Department of Education. (n.d.). Science: [State] standards of excellence. SuitCASE. https://case.georgiastandards.org/27a08dc6-416e7-ba71-02bd89fdd987/27a08dc6-416e7-ba71-02bd89fdd987

Gill, T. (2014). The benefits of children’s engagement with nature: A systematic literature review. Children, Youth and Environments, 24(2), 10–34. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.24.2.0010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/cye.2014.0024

Hayes, M., Smith, P. S., & Midden, W. R. (2020). Methods and strategies: Students as citizen scientists: It’s elementary. Science and Children, 57(9), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/00368148.2020.12318579 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00368148.2020.12318579

Jeschke, P., Nauen, R., Schindler, M., & Elbert, A. (2011). Overview of the status and global strategy for neonicotinoids. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59, 2497–2908. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf101303g DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jf101303g

John-Steiner, V., & Mahn, H. (1996). Sociocultural approaches to learning and development: A Vygotskian framework. Educational Psychologist, 31(3-4), 191–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.1996.9653266 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.1996.9653266

Kent State University. (2024). SPSS tutorials: Paired samples T Test. University Libraries. https://libguides.library.kent.edu/SPSS/PairedSamplestTest#:~:text=The%20Paired%20Samples%20t%20Test,between%20the%20two%20time%20points

Messick, S. (1994). Validity of psychological assessment: Validation of inferences from persons’ responses and performances as scientific inquiry into score meaning. Educational Testing Service. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2333-8504.1994.tb01618.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2333-8504.1994.tb01618.x

National Park Service. (2024). Pollinators in trouble. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pollinators/pollinators-in-trouble.htm

National Research Council. (2012). A framework for K-12 science education: practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas / Committee on a Conceptual Framework for New K-12 Science Education Standards, Board on Science Education, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. The National Academies Press.

NGSS Lead States. (2013). Next generation science standards: For states, by states. National Academies Press.

National Science Teaching Association. (2024). How are the standards different: New standards for a new generation. https://www.nsta.org/how-are-standards-different

Price, P. C., Jhangiani, R. S., Chiang, I. A., Leighton, D. C., & Cuttler, C. (2017). Research methods in psychology. (3rd ed.). Creative Commons.

Rodger, J. D., Bennett, J. M., Razanajatovo, M., Knight, T. M., Kleunen, M., Steets, J. A., Hui, C., Arceo-Gómez, G., Burd, M., Burkle, L. A., Burns, J. H., Durka, W., Freitas, L., Kemp, J. E., Li, J., Pauw, A., Vamosi, J. C., Wolowski, M., Xia, J., & Elli, A. G. (2021). Widespread vulnerability of flowering plant seed production to pollinator declines. Science Advances, 7(42). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abd3524 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abd3524

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

Wood, D., Bruner, J. S., & Ross, G. (1976). The role of tutoring in problem solving. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1976.tb00381.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1976.tb00381.x

Wood, T. J., & Goulson, D. (2017). The environmental risks of neonicotinoid pesticides: A review of the evidence post 2013. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24, 17285–17325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9240-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9240-x