Course Description:

This course begins on October 16, 2023, and concludes on November 20, 2023. Registration will remain open until the first day of the course or until the course is full.

In Bee a Friend to Pollinators, K-12 educators will enter the world of the small but mighty pollinators that live alongside us in the Southeastern United States. In this course, you will meet some of the insects and plants who use pollination to provide us with foods we love. After discovering the impact of pollinators, you will dive into ways that you can contribute to pollinator conservation and get their students involved. You will learn how to incorporate pollinator activities in your classroom and how to plan a school or community pollinator project.

This online course focuses on both content and application. As an educator participating in this course, you will learn the basics of pollination, pollinators, and their importance; you will also develop skills to teach the content in your own educational context through the use of lesson plans, student activities, and other curricular resources. 

In 2023, Bee a Friend to Pollinators was named the national winner of the NACAA Search for Excellence Award in Commercial and Consumer Horticulture. The online course earned its Quality Matters certification in 2023. 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the pollination process and the roles of insects, plants, and other actors in this process.
• Identify common native insects and plants that are key to pollination in South Carolina.
• State the importance of pollinators for ecosystems and food systems.
• Identify actions that students, teachers, and community members can take to help pollinators.
• Experiment with student learning activities about pollination and pollinators.
• Evaluate and select activities to use in the classroom or school context.
• Identify lesson plans, resources, organizations, and individuals to help facilitate student learning.
• Develop plans for engaging students and the school community in pollinator projects and activities.

Course Topics:

This course includes five modules on the following topics:

1. The Critical Role Pollinators Play in Our Food System
2. Identifying Key Pollinator Species
3. How Plants and Pollinators Interact
4. Create Pollinator Friendly Landscapes
5. Implement Pollinator Education Programs: "Bee an Advocate"

Course Requirements:

Each module includes instructional videos and lessons as well as quizzes and online discussions. To successfully complete the course, you will need to complete all quizzes with a score of at least 80%. You will also need to participate actively in the online discussion for each module and complete the associated activities with a score of "complete." 

Participating educators licensed in South Carolina and Georgia can earn renewal credits upon successful completion. The course is approved by the South Carolina Department of Education for 20 renewal credits, and state of Georgia educators can receive 1 PLU. Those who successfully complete the course are also issued an interactive digital badge via Credly.

Technical Requirements:

To participate fully in this course, you will need:

• An active email address for the individual participating in the course.
• A desktop computer or laptop (recommended): Canvas is available on mobile devices, but some content may appear differently.
• Access to a high-speed internet connection.
• A web browser compatible with Canvas: Chrome and Firefox are recommended.
• Headphones or speakers (closed captioning also available).
• Computer skills including Internet browsing, using email, typing, downloading files, and basic troubleshooting.

Need Help?

• If you need help accessing or registering for a course, please contact Clemson Online at onlineplus@clemson.edu.
• Our support email is monitored Monday-Friday from 8:00-4:30. If you contact us in the evening or on the weekend, we will help you during the next business day.
• Please do not contact CCIT regarding CPE courses. Please reach out to Clemson Online so that we can assist you.
• Using Bulk Purchase? Please inform those you purchase seats for. They will receive an email invitation immediately upon enrollment. For more help, read about bulk enrollments in Catalog.