What’s the Buzz?
Academe of the Oaks apiary gives students a closer connection to nature By Kathy Dean Academe of the Oaks, a collegepreparatory high school in Decatur, is focused on finding ways to give students a wellrounded education. As School Director Eva Handschin explained, “Academe offers project-based and interdisciplinary learning that is robust and forward thinking, preparing our students for the fast-changing world they will inherit.” To help educate them about the natural part of their world, the Academe’s campus includes an apiary with seven functioning hives. “Connecting our students to nature, science, and fostering opportunities for active involvement is at the core of our Waldorf philosophy,” Handschin said. “We’ve kept bees on campus for many years, giving our students a rich opportunity for creative thinking, curiosity and intellectual discovery.” The apiary is an expanded version of the school’s beekeeping program, “and it came about through the beautiful relationship with Tara Beekeepers,” Handschin said. “We are so grateful to the Tara Beekeepers; we would not have been able to create this learning oasis for our students otherwise.” According to Deb DeWitt, president of Tara Beekeepers Association, having the bees on the premises fits right in with the ethos that Academe of the Oaks holds, which is reverence for the natural world. “The experiential nature of working with bees is deeply fascinating and can provide rich learning opportunities for students,” she said. “We hope this translates to a unique and deeper understanding of the environment.” The Tara Beekeepers Association has been committed to providing education about continued on page 42
At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
SEPTEMBER 2021 | INTOWN
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