Comparative Analysis of Knowledge of Concepts of Pollination and Bee Pollinators Among Elementary School Students

What is it about?

This paper reports upon comparative analysis of the knowledge about concepts of pollination and bee pollinators between elementary school students from Serbia and Russia. Most students know the definition of pollination and that bees are the most effective insect pollinators. Students did not recognize the consequences of modern agriculture and climate change as factors of pollinator declines. Concepts of ecosystem services, bee diversity, and pollinator decline are not currently present in the curriculum. Hence, it is planned to add these concepts to the curriculum. Elementary school students got most information about the concepts of pollinators and pollinator declines in the biology classes, and not through the media (Internet /TV). In this research, it was shown that gender did not affect knowledge about concepts of pollination and bee pollinators. This is particularly significant from the point of view that gender has so far been largely recorded as a factor that influenced attitudes toward different arthropods, primarily insects, but also to other animals. Further curriculum audits for elementary schools are planned and it will be primarily related to zoological and ecological contents, and it will include the implementation of concepts of ecosystem services, bee diversity, and pollinator declines. The authors of this study will be involved in the development and implementation of a National Pollinators Strategy in their countries.

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