Fifth in a series of updates about the Eastern Apicultural Society's Annual Conference and Short Course in 2013

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This year's EAS 2013 Short Course has a "Train-the-Trainer" option. Mark the registration form accordingly, if you want to be in the all-day Tues., Aug. 6 training and workshops led by Dr. David Tarpy (shown in photo below) and Bill Mares. This workshop is not about what to teach, but how to teach it.

tarpy photo

As beekeeping has increased in popularity, the demand for beekeeper education has never been greater. One bottleneck in beekeeper education has been the small supply of good beekeeping teachers who can provide quality educational experiences.

The EAS 2013 "Train-the-Trainer" option is designed to give you the training in how to conduct an efficient bee school. It will help you improve content delivery, maximize student learning, and promote beekeeping. Lectures will include: the right mixture of theory and practice; what makes a bad presentation; teaching young beekeepers; using the Beekeeper Education and Engagement System (BEES) network in your bee school; crafting a test; and putting it all together.

Attendees of the all-day Tuesday, August 6, workshops will:

  • Learn various tips and techniques about improving content delivery
  • Gain experience in some of the common techniques for teaching beekeeping
  • Become confident in developing a beekeeper education curriculum at any level
  • Discuss potential pitfalls in conducting a bee school & how they can be avoided

Preregistration is required for the limited number of seats. Participants are expected to remain through the entire day. Priority will be given to those who have or plan to conduct a beginner bee school so that we can learn from each other about what works, what doesn't, and what to expect from many different perspectives. Feel free to bring along a syllabus to critique and discuss with others.

David R. Tarpy, who hales from PA, is Program Director & Extension Apiculturist, NC State University. David built one of the most successful state master beekeeper organizations (NC) and then developed an online education platform called BEES.
Bill Mares is the immediate past president of EAS and the Vermont Beekeepers Association. Bill co-chairs the EAS Education Committee.

Pennsylvania beekeepers will welcome you warmly! See you in August!