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

Abstract

Contemporary biology education is rich with important content for human society, such as concepts related to pollination and pollinators. Comparative analysis of the knowledge about concepts of pollination and bee pollinators between elementary school students from Serbia and Russia was performed. This research aimed to determine which aspects of pollination students know and how do they understand the role of bees in this process. It also assessed students’ knowledge about the pollinators’ decline factors by using a questionnaire. Most students knew the definition of pollination and that bees are the most effective insect pollinators. Russian students had a greater scope of knowledge about the concepts of pollination and bee pollinators than did Serbian students. Students did not recognize that modern agriculture and climate change are causes of pollinator declines. Concepts of ecosystem services, bee diversity, and pollinator decline need to be added to the curriculum.