A new honeybee observation hive at Wunderlich Farm gives students and the community a chance to learn about the insect’s life cycle.

“The goal is to teach kids the importance of this one insect to all of nature,” said Steve Baird, Klein ISD historian and overseer of the farm, which functions as a living history museum and is located next to Doerre Intermediate School on Theiss Mail Route Road.

Baird said the hive, which was installed April 7, provides opportunities for students to learn about insect anatomy and honey production.

Baird has placed signs around the hive displaying useful information such as the different types of bees found in the hive.

The farm is part of every KISD fourth-grader’s curriculum, and other schools often plan field trips there, Baird said. The museum and hive are open to the public on the last Saturday of every month.

Baird said he was inspired to undertake this project after learning about a school district in Austin that started something similar.

He conducted research in the district to figure out the logistics and the necessary safety precautions.

After getting the approval from the school district, Baird secured funding through a $6,000 grant from the Klein ISD Education Foundation.