They feast on carrion:
As the only bees on Earth, they’ve completely ditched pollen and nectar, instead specialising in rotting fruit and animal carcasses.

At first glance, they look just like their plant-loving cousins: dark brown, compact, and about 1 cm long. But their most important tool is their long, sturdy proboscis—not for sipping nectar, but for licking up meat juices! They also have reinforced jaws to tear off chunks of flesh.

These three species call the tropical rainforests of Central and South America home. They live in colonial nests, often sharing their habitat with ants and wasps—which they sometimes use as a protein source.

Unlike honeybees, they don’t build wax combs. Instead, they create specially coated cells from resins and plant materials inside hollow tree trunks, underground burrows, or abandoned termite nests.

The bees bite off small pieces of flesh from dead animals, pre-chew it in their crop, and carry it back to the nest. There, they regurgitate the meat into food cells. Thanks to special bacteria, the flesh transforms into a jelly-like, honey-like liquid within 12–16 days. This "meat honey" is packed with proteins and sugars—a superfood for their larvae!

(Species: Trigona necrophaga, Trigona hypogea, and Trigona crassipes)

Trigona spinipes (Irapuã) – Foto: José Reynaldo da Fonseca, CC-BY-SA 4.0

#Honey #Beekeeping #School #Honning #Rogaland #Stavanger #Nature #Apiary #Environment #MeatHoney #Pets #TrigonaNecrophaga #Bees #TrigonaHypogea #TrigonaCrassipes #Biology #Bier #birøkt #Skole #KjøttHonning #Norge #Bikube #Skole

The 4th grade pupils have been learning about types of grain in their German lessons. They got to know Hafer, Gerste, Weizen and Roggen and connected the new vocabulary with colourful pictures.

Each type has its own special characteristics – from the nutrient-rich Gerste to the versatile Weizen, the robust Roggen, and the healthy Hafer.

🥐 Roggen (Rye / Rug): medium-length awns, bread, porridge
🥐 Hafer (Oats / Havre): grains on a panicle, biscuits, bread, porridge
🥐 Weizen (Wheat / Hvete): ear without awns, versatile, bread, porridge, biscuits, cake
🥐Gerste (Barley / Bygg): long awns, porridge, bread; in Germany, they brew beer from it, but only adults are allowed to drink it 😉

From bread to beer: Grain has shaped the diet and culture of Central Europe for centuries

#Language #German #School #Språk #Rogaland #Stavanger #Tysk #Deutsch #Deutschunterricht #Getreide #Grain #Hafer #Gerste #Bread #Porridge #Awns #Barley #Bygg #Roggen #Weizen #Rye #Rug #Oats #Bier #Havre #Skole #Wheat #Norge #Food #Hvete #Skole

Although fungi do not technically belong to botany, they are still part of the botany curriculum. Traditionally, fungi are often covered in biology or botany lessons because they are closely interconnected with plants in their way of life—whether through symbioses like mycorrhiza, which promote plant growth, or through their role in the nutrient cycle of ecosystems.

Last week, the pupils took a closer look at fungi and lichens. They learned about the structure of fungi and the functions they perform in nature—as decomposers, symbionts, or even parasites.
The differences between lichens (a symbiosis of fungus and alga/cyanobacterium) and fungi were also discussed. Lichens are pioneers of colonisation (e.g., on rocks or tree bark) and play an important role in ecosystems.

A fascinating insight into a world that, while not part of botany, is essential for the way plants and ecosystems function as we know them!

Life stages of a fungus

#Reinlav #Botany #VG3 #Ecology #Sopp #Rogaland #Stavanger #Mushroom #Pedagogy #VGS #CladoniaPortentosa #Science #FlyAgaric #FlyAmanita #Cladonia #Biology #RødFluesopp #AmanitaMuscaria #Biodiversity #Environment #Ecology #Skole #Teaching #School #Norge

Over the past three weeks, the VG3 students have been studying natural and artificial selection as well as biodiversity in their biology block.

This included three exciting excursion destinations:
🌾 At Ullandhaug Økologiske Gård, they learned how sustainable agriculture works—from breeding resilient plants to understanding the principles of artificial selection that play a role in ecological animal husbandry.
🌾 In the Botanical Garden, they explored the diversity of the plant world, learned about plant adaptation strategies to different habitats, and how natural selection operates in ecosystems.
🌾 At Ormen Lange, they observed natural habitats by the water and on land, interactions between native plant and animal species, and they deepened their understanding of biodiversity and ecological relationships.

Excursion: VG3 in the greenhouse

#Plants #Botany #VG3 #Ecology #Greenhouse #Rogaland #Stavanger #Pedagogy #VGS #Animals #Science #Food #Biology #Healthcare #Bondegård #Biodiversity #Environment #Ecology #Skole #Teaching #School #Norge

Our Year 3 class kicked off the new school year with their Bees block. Through the story of Konrad and his grandfather, the pupils learned how bees’ lives begin in spring, what happens in winter, how the queen and drones live, and the role each bee plays in the hive.

The class visited the school’s beehives, watching the bees fly in and out—and checking if they carried pollen (or "sun bread"). Fittingly, the children were lucky enough to witness a bee swarm firsthand—an unforgettable natural event!
In class, they created beautiful texts and drawings in their notebooks to capture their new knowledge. They also crafted tiny bees from cones, which now hang as a mobile in their classroom.

The pupils aren’t just learning facts about bees—they’re also discovering how vital these little creatures are to our ecosystem. For the next three weeks, Year 3 will be fully immersed in the world of these hardworking pollinators!

🌿 Feel free to explore our photo_album and experience Year 3’s bee adventure for yourself!

Busy pollinators on the move

#Honey #Beekeeping #School #Honning #Rogaland #Stavanger #Pedagogy #Nature #Bees #Apiary #Biology #Bier #birøkt #MentalHealth #Skole #Environment #Teaching #Nature #Pets #Barneskole #Norge #Pets #Bikube

For the 8th and 9th grades, "Mat og Helse" is on the timetable: For each of the two classes, the kitchen becomes a classroom one morning a week! From 11:25 AM to 2:00 PM, it’s all about theory and practice of nutrition, preparation, and nutrients.

For example, once they prepare falafel with tzatziki together.
They learn from the selection of ingredients (chickpeas, yogurt, herbs) to the nutrient combinations (plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins) and the correct preparation. They find out why this dish is so valuable: nutritious, filling, and sustainable.

• Nutrients: What makes food healthy? 🥕
• Preparation: Cooking and tasting together.
• Smart planning: A big topic is avoiding food waste – because those who shop and store consciously save not only money but also resources.

🌍 According to Matprat a tremendous amount of food ends up in the trash every year. – often due to ignorance or poor planning. In "Mat og Helse", students learn how calculated shopping, proper storage, and creative use of leftovers avoids food waste.

Practical, delicious, educational:
The class plans meals together, prepares them, and discusses nutrition, health, and the environment. Afterwards, they enjoy their delicious meal together with spiced falafel 🥙

🔧 Notice:
Our instance will be offline from 29 July 2026 for approximately 2–3 weeks due to cleaning and relocation activities. We’ll be back online afterwards as usual.

#Education #Teaching #Learning #Healthcare #School #Stavanger #School #Lærer #Rogaland #Environment #Food #Ungdomstrinn #Poverty #Escuela #Activism #Ecole #GlobalHealth #Norge #Schule #Mat #Skole #Undervisning #Matredderen

Honey is a masterpiece of teamwork and biochemistry. Forager bees use their proboscis to collect sweet nectar from flowers, while also gathering pollen as a protein source for the brood. Back at the hive, they pass the nectar to worker bees, who chew it for about 30 minutes, mixing it with enzymes and saliva. This process breaks down the sugars, making the nectar easier to digest. The processed nectar is then placed into honeycomb cells. The bees fan their wings to evaporate water, thickening the honey until it contains just 17–18% water. Once ripe, they seal the cells with a wax lid, keeping the honey sterile and preserved—perfect winter provisions for the colony!

🍯 Our School Bees’ Honey: A Sweet Treat
Our school bees also produce honey, but we harvest only a small portion, ensuring they have enough reserves for winter.

🎄 Christmas Market (Julemarkedet):
If you’d like to try our school bees’ honey, you can purchase it at the school’s Christmas market. A delightful gift—and a wonderful way to support our hardworking bees!

🔧 Notice:
Our instance will be offline from 29 July 2026 for approximately 2–3 weeks due to cleaning and relocation activities. We’ll be back online afterwards as usual.

Our school bees’ honey—hand-harvested and packed with love. Available at Julemarkedet!

#Honey #Beekeeping #School #Honning #Rogaland #Stavanger #Julemarked #Nature #Bees #Apiary #Biology #Bier #birøkt #Skole #Pets #Julemarked #Norge #Food #Bikube

The Year-Long Project-presentations are a highlight of the school year, featuring enriching talks open not only to the entire school community but also to all interested guests from the surrounding area.

Here, students complete a Year-Long Project instead of sitting traditional exams to earn their university entrance qualifications. Rather than rote-learning, students devote an entire year—alongside their regular studies—to a topic of their own choice.
In March 2025, for example, Livar from Vg2 introduced his topic: He intended to delve into the world of computer games.

🎓 One year later, Livar took us on a fascinating journey through his topic. We learned about the history of computer games, the debate between ludology (the study of game mechanics) and narratology (the study of storytelling in games)—a key discussion in game studies about whether games should be analyzed as systems or as narratives. For his project, he had also programmed two computer games, which he used as examples during his presentation. After the talk, guests were invited to try out the games for themselves.

The presentation concluded with his assurance that the work had been completed independently, followed by words of thanks—to his cat, Anubis, and others, for their mental support throughout the process.

From languages to game design: The Year-Long Project reflects the students’ passions.

#Education #Teaching #Learning #Exam #Language #School #Stavanger #School #Lærer #Graduation #Gaming #Technology #Rogaland #VGS #Språk #Ecole #Norge #Schule #Eksamen #Skole #Undervisning #Studiekvalifiserende

Yesterday we examined the school’s beehives—checking queen cells, assessing the health of the colonies, and gaining fascinating insights. The linden trees and raspberry bushes have just begun to bloom, and bees and bumblebees are busy collecting nectar and pollen.

In some of the combs, we noticed reddish-brown, jelly-like deposits. To ensure everything is in order, we are now specifically checking for varroosis, foulbrood, nosemosis and mold or fermented feed residues.

It’s possible these deposits are simply bee bread (stored pollen mixed with honey), propolis (resin collected from plants), or pollen paste, but we want to be certain.
Until we have more information, we will continue to monitor the hives closely.

Close-up of a honeycomb frame during inspection: reddish-brown, jelly-like deposits under observation. Potential causes include bee bread, propolis, or signs of disease—further analysis pending.

#Beekeeping #HiveInspection #Varroosis #Foulbrood #Nosemosis #BeeHealth #BeeBread #Propolis #Apiarist #School #Skole #Stavanger #Rogaland #Norge #Biology #Nature #Bier #Varroose #Dronningceller #Bibrød #Propolis #Birøkt

Eighth grade is a time when young people find their place in the world and society. What could be more fitting than turning their gaze to the sky? Astronomy connects natural science, history, and philosophy.

In the lesson block astronomy in the winterdarkness, the focus is on the universe, stars and their composition, as well as the individual planets with their unique properties. The history of discoveries also plays a role. Pupils unlock new knowledge and expand their horizons—echoing the spirit of the Renaissance, when humanity began to understand the world and the heavens anew.

The pupils create their own textbooks with texts and illustrations. By artistically and personally processing the material, they understand and internalise the content. The block concludes with an exam that tests their acquired knowledge—but the true reward lies in marvelling at the vastness of the cosmos and understanding our place within it.

Young astronomers at work

#Astronomi #Naturfag #Undervisning #Astronomy #Stavanger #Rogaland #Norge #Vintersolverv #Schule #Escuela #Ecole #History #Philosophy #Physics #Academia #Skole #Science #space #School #Skole #Education

For three weeks during the school year, our 3rd graders immerse themselves in the fascinating world of bees. In this lesson block, they explore not only the biology and ecology of these vital pollinators but also their cultural and practical significance—from pollination to honey production.

The children learn about the bees’ activities throughout the year: from their first flights to pussy willows and crocuses in spring, through swarming season and the building of food reserves in summer, to their winter rest, during which they sustain themselves on their stored supplies. They discover how a larva transforms into an adult bee, the roles bees take on throughout their lives within the hive, and how the queen bee functions as the heart of the colony.

Equally important is the process of pollination—without bees, there would be no fruits, no vegetables, and no nuts. The children understand how bees carry pollen from flower to flower, thus sustaining nature itself. The production of honey is also covered: from collecting nectar to thickening it in the combs.

Yet the focus isn’t solely on honeybees. The children also learn about other bee species, such as bumblebees, carpenter bees, and mining bees, and how each plays its own unique role in the ecosystem.

🐝 Through their familiarity with the school’s own bees, they have grown close to these creatures. They have observed beehives, examined flowers under microscopes, and some have even tasted the honey they produce.

Classroom Chalk Drawing: Bees at work

#Bee #Education #Honey #Pollinators #Nature #School #SaveTheBees #Teaching #Skole #Schule #Ecole #Escuela #Stavanger #Norge #apiarist #beekeeper #Bier #Undervisning #Honningbier #Pollinering #Naturfag #Biology #Miljø #Blomster #Økologi

In upper secondary school, students engage with "Ungt Entreprenørskap". They found real businesses, learning how creative ideas evolve into practical projects. This hands-on approach fosters entrepreneurial thinking and strengthens teamwork, creativity, and a sense of responsibility.

The program is structured into three main phases, reflecting the entire lifecycle of a business over the school year:

📌 Start-up Phase:
During this phase, students develop business ideas, form teams, and assign roles such as management, marketing, or finance. They draft articles of association, hold a founding meeting, and register their companies officially. In the process, they learn how to structure an idea and turn it into a concrete project.

📈 Operational Phase:
Here, things get serious: Teams produce goods or offer services, develop marketing strategies, and sell their products or services—even at fairs or competitions. At the same time, they manage basic accounting, calculate costs, and prepare an annual report.

🏁 Liquidation Phase:
At the end of the school year, the businesses are formally dissolved: Students finalize production, settle debts, sell remaining stock, and liquidate the company. A reflection on successes and failures, along with the preparation of a final report, concludes the phase.

"Young Entrepreneurship" provides practical life experience, promotes entrepreneurial skills such as creativity and problem-solving, and strengthens teamwork and social competence. At the same time, it integrates topics like sustainability, inclusive work environments, and ethical decision-making, preparing students for a responsible professional life.

Learn more about "Young Entrepreneurship" at Ungt Entreprenørskap and Ungdomsbedrift.

"Ungt Entreprenørskap": Students showcasing their business projects.

#Entrepreneurship #Business #Innovation #HandsOnLearning #Education #School #Skole #Schule #Teaching #Ecole #Escuela #Student #VGS #Norge #Utdanning #Stavanger #Rogaland #UngtEntreprenørskap #PraktiskLæring #Entreprenørskap #Ungdomsbedrift