Bees: Tiny Insect, Big Impact

A new exhibition (opening today) examines the wildly diverse and intricate world of one of the most important creatures to human agriculture and the natural environment. Through family-friendly experiences, hands-on activities, and media, Bees: Tiny Insect, Big Impact is the first major museum exhibition to focus on the incredible diversity of bees in California and the urgent issue of bee population declines statewide. Bees tells the story of these amazing insects, while providing visitors the opportunity to learn about the value of bees to our economy and ecosystems, and discover how simple but powerful actions can help bees to survive in a changing world. Covering topics such Bay Area beekeeping, the diversity of California native bee species, and the similarities between bees and humans, the exhibition features cutting-edge science on bee behavior and conservation, opportunities for visitors to get involved in research, and ways to make their own yards and neighborhoods more attractive to bees.

A family friendly exhibition, Bees encourages visitors of all ages to discover real bee specimens under a microscope, play games such as "Is it a bee?" to learn how species are identified, and create original animations about their vision for a future with bees. Visitors can climb inside life sized honeybee cells, learning along the way about factors that contribute to bee disappearances. The gallery features real beekeeping tools, including a cross-section of a beehive, a honey spinner and implements for honey collection, and a chance to try on real beekeeper suits in adult and child sizes. The exhibition also offers opportunities to get involved outside of the Gallery, with citizen science projects, bee hotels installed in the OMCA Gardens, and guides on building bee hotels for visitors to take home.

This exhibit runs through September 20.