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Environmental STEM Programs Registration

Bring Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS)-aligned environmental STEM learning to your students or community.

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Planet Bee Foundation uses bees as a pathway to STEM learning, conservation, and community action. Our programs help students explore bee biology, pollination, ecosystems, food systems, climate resilience, engineering, and environmental stewardship through digital curriculum, community science, hands-on learning, and live instruction.

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Our Environmental STEM programs are designed to make high-quality science learning accessible to schools and nonprofit organizations. Many opportunities are offered at no cost or on a sliding scale thanks to the support of grantmakers, donors, corporate sponsors, and program partners.

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Complete this registration form to tell us which programs and opportunities interest you.

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  1. Digital STEM Curriculum

  2. Community Science Curriculum, including BEEyond HarvestED

  3. In-Person STEM Lessons

  4. Bee Buddies Pollinator Program, in partnership with Crown Bees

  5. Native Bee Nest House Kit Program

  6. Forthcoming Coding for Conservation Curriculum

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Please note: Completing this form registers your interest in Planet Bee Foundation’s Environmental STEM Programs and related partner-supported opportunities. Certain programs have separate eligibility requirements, application periods, and geographic limitations. Planet Bee will contact registrants with additional information about programs for which they may be eligible.

1. Digital Environmental STEM Curriculum

Access Planet Bee Foundation’s FREE, downloadable Environmental STEM curriculum designed for flexible classroom, afterschool, and community use. These self-paced resources combine science content with hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, engineering, and community science.

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Grade Range: K–12
Cost: FREE

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Resources may include teacher guides, slide decks, videos, worksheets, games, printable activities, outdoor investigations, and project-based learning experiences.

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Topics include:

  • Bee biology and behavior

  • Honey bees and native bees

  • Pollination and food systems

  • Ecosystems and biodiversity

  • Soil health, composting, and plant life cycles

  • Climate resilience and environmental stewardship

  • Engineering and habitat design

  • Community science, observation, and environmental data collection

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Featured curriculum includes BEEyond HarvestED, Planet Bee’s garden and agriculture series, along with native bee and pollinator community science activities that engage students in observing local ecosystems, identifying pollinators, collecting and comparing data, and investigating real-world environmental questions. Planet Bee’s current program materials describe this curriculum as integrating NGSS-aligned environmental learning, hands-on activities, community science, systems thinking, and engineering design.

2. In-Person STEM Lessons

Interactive Environmental STEM lessons led by a Planet Bee educator are available in select U.S. regions.

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We are currently accepting interest for:

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  • Northern California

  • Philadelphia region

  • New York/New Jersey region

 

Live in-person lessons begin: Spring 2027
Grade Range: K–6; lessons may be adapted for higher grades upon request
Lesson Length: Approximately 60 minutes; customized timing may be available with advance notice
Cost: Free or sliding scale depending on school location, student demographics, available grant or sponsor funding, and Planet Bee educator availability Planet Bee will contact registrants to determine eligibility, scheduling, program needs, and available funding.

3. Bee Buddies Pollinator Program In Partnership with Crown Bees

Application Period: October 5–November 16

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Bee Buddies is a separate, partner-sponsored K–12 pollinator education program offered by Crown Bees in collaboration with Planet Bee Foundation.

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Bee Buddies provides students with an opportunity to observe gentle Mason bees and experience pollination, nesting behavior, habitat, food systems, and environmental stewardship firsthand. Using region-appropriate Mason bees, and provided nests, students can observe seasonal changes in their own school pollinator garden while engaging in science and conservation.

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Grade Range: K–12
Program Season: Spring
Cost: FREE to accepted schools
Availability: Limited
Geographic Availability: Public and private K–12 schools in the continental United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii
Award Limit: One Bee Buddies kit per selected school

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Accepted schools receive:

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  • Reusable 48-hole wooden trays for Mason bee nesting

  • A starter set of Mason bee cocoons

  • Clay-mud material for Mason bee nest building

  • Guidance for creating and setting up an appropriate Mason bee house

  • Seasonal care and program guidance from Crown Bees

  • Curriculum resources through the Planet Bee Foundation partnership

  • Opportunities to connect Bee Buddies participation to Planet Bee community science and Environmental STEM curriculum

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Participating schools should be prepared to:

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  • Have access to a spring blooming pollinator garden with an appropriate location for the bee house

  • Identify a teacher, staff member, or school representative who can serve as the program point person

  • Follow Crown Bees’ setup and seasonal care guidance

  • Provide students with short opportunities for observation during the active season

  • Participate in requested program reflection or reporting

  • Share photos when appropriate and when school permissions allow

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Important: Indicating interest in Bee Buddies through Planet Bee does not guarantee acceptance into the Bee Buddies program. The selection process is based on program requirements, and a limited number of kits. Learn more about the Bee Buddies Pollinator Program through Crown Bees. 

4. Native Bee Nest House Kit Program

Register your interest in receiving a native bee nest house for your school, nonprofit organization, garden, or educational site. Planet Bee Foundation works with corporate sponsors, volunteers, donors, and community partners to build and distribute native bee nesting habitat to schools and community organizations.

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These nest houses can be paired with Planet Bee’s Community Science Curriculum so students can observe native bee activity, investigate habitat, record observations, and participate in real-world pollinator conservation.

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Grade Range: All Grades
Cost: FREE for selected recipients


Availability: Based on donated inventory, sponsor funding, and geographic location
Shipping: Shipping costs may apply depending on location and available funding

Please note: Completing this registration places your organization on Planet Bee’s interest/waitlist and does not guarantee that a native bee nest house will be available. Planet Bee’s Native Bee Nest House will connect physical nesting habitat with student our Digital Environmental STEM Curriculum we offer above.

5. Coding for Conservation- Forthcoming Digital STEM Curriculum

Register to receive updates about Planet Bee Foundation’s forthcoming Coding for Conservation curriculum. Coding for Conservation combines environmental science, technology, engineering, data collection, and coding to help students investigate real-world environmental conditions.

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Students will use Micro:bit technology and environmental sensors to explore how data can help scientists understand habitats and support native bee conservation.

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Grade Range: Grades 5–12+
Curriculum Cost: FREE digital curriculum and limited granted supplies 

Status: Forthcoming

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Students will explore:

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  • Coding and computational thinking

  • Environmental monitoring with sensor technology

  • Data collection and analysis

  • Native bee conservation

  • Habitat conditions, climate and environmental variables

  • Engineering and problem-solving

  • Community science

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Register to receive future curriculum announcements, implementation information, and opportunities to participate.

Before You Submit

We encourage you to register even if you are unsure which program is the best fit. Our team can help connect you with appropriate Environmental STEM resources and opportunities as they become available.

Your Information

Pronouns
She/Her
He/Him
They/Them

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Applicant Demographic Information 

Tell us about your group
Is your site a Title 1 School? Defined as 50% or more students are eligible to receive free or reduced-cost lunch (FRCL). We request the percentage of FRCL for your students in the next question.
Yes
No

Please provide a summary of your student demographics. Information includes: 


  • Racial and ethnic composition

  • Gender identity (including LGBTQ+ representation)

  • Percentage of students receiving special education services (IEPs or 504 Plans)

  • English language learners (ELLs)

  • Other indicators of diverse populations as relevant 

Select your program(s) of interest:

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If you selected the Bee Buddies Program above, please answer the following additional questions. If not, please proceed to Final Questions.

Does your school have (or plan to have) spring blooms nearby for 2027? Mason bees need open flowers within about 300 feet when they emerge. A school garden, flowering trees, or nearby park all count.
Yes, we have an established garden or nearby blooms
We're planning or planting one this year
Not yet and we'd like some guidanceOption 3
Do you have access to a refrigerator for cocoon overwinter storage? No fridge? No problem. Send your cocoons back to us after harvest and we'll keep them safe in our cooler until spring.

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Here's what we're hoping for from you, and in return, you'll have our team with you through the whole season


  • We'll send a short recap. A few minutes at the end of the year telling us how it went and how we can improve. 

  • We'll follow your bee care guidance. We'll use the Crown Bees setup and seasonal care instructions. We are here when you have questions.

  • We'll share a few photos, whenever permissions allow. 

May Crown Bees share your photos in program materials?
Yes
Yes, without student faces
No / need district approval

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Final Questions

How did you hear about Planet Bee's educational programs?
E-Newsletters
Social Media
Planet Bee Website
Word of Mouth
Repeat Visit
Event
Other
Does your school or class have a budget for STEM programs?
Yes
No
Unsure/Maybe
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