Service Learning: Honey Extraction
Honey Bee extraction - February 16, 2018
Brier 286 12:30 pm-3:30 pm (3 hours)
The honey bee extraction was brought to us students by the Bee Club, and the purpose
of the event was to uncap frames that had honey and then extract it. Other goals was to learn
about bees and how other materials from bees can be used.
of the event was to uncap frames that had honey and then extract it. Other goals was to learn
about bees and how other materials from bees can be used.
Photo credit: Tien Pham
The pictures above shows the process of uncapping the wax off the honeycombs,
so the honey is exposed and can be drained when spun. There are two types of tools to
uncap the honeycombs; the one on left is like a fork with many points that punctures the surface.
The tool on the right is an iron that heats up a scraps a thin layer of wax and honeycomb
when light force is applied.
so the honey is exposed and can be drained when spun. There are two types of tools to
uncap the honeycombs; the one on left is like a fork with many points that punctures the surface.
The tool on the right is an iron that heats up a scraps a thin layer of wax and honeycomb
when light force is applied.
Photo Credit: Tien Pham
The photo on the left illustrates the frames in the machine ready to be spun for the honey to be extracted.
The heat lamps warm the honey for an easier flow. The photo on the right shows the amount of honey
pulled from the frames.
The heat lamps warm the honey for an easier flow. The photo on the right shows the amount of honey
pulled from the frames.
Photo Credit: Tien Pham
In this event, we also had the ability to heat wax that was collected from previous extractions and
purify it. The photo on the left shows a before and after of wax purified. The photo on right shows
the process of heating the wax, then running it through filter paper and cloth to take out any unwanted
impurities.
purify it. The photo on the left shows a before and after of wax purified. The photo on right shows
the process of heating the wax, then running it through filter paper and cloth to take out any unwanted
impurities.
I have always thought of bees as terrifying monsters that chase you. However, their role in
society is quite important; for one their action of pollination helps brings resource to humans.
Second, the wax taken from the hive can be transformed into soap or candles. The bee club
is a great opportunity for the community to be more involve with preserving the environment.
Learning how to locally collect honey and reuse the wax from the bees allows to cut down
on manufactured products. It also allows us to be socially aware of bees and which types to
protect and eliminate, the wasp which destroys and kills honey bees, and sustain natural
occurring products.
society is quite important; for one their action of pollination helps brings resource to humans.
Second, the wax taken from the hive can be transformed into soap or candles. The bee club
is a great opportunity for the community to be more involve with preserving the environment.
Learning how to locally collect honey and reuse the wax from the bees allows to cut down
on manufactured products. It also allows us to be socially aware of bees and which types to
protect and eliminate, the wasp which destroys and kills honey bees, and sustain natural
occurring products.
Photo Credit: Tien Pham
The photo above shows a tool used to introduce the queen bee to other colonies. The queen bee is placed in this cage like contraption to prevent the new colony from killing her. This technique is used allows pheromones to be exchange so the colonies can merged or introduced to breeding. As stated before, bees have a huge impact on the ecosystem by spreading pollen to plants and starting the initial grow for crops. Bees allow us to be hands with developing natural materials that help reduce our carbon foot print on the world.
Questions developed are:
- What makes wax flammable?
- What happens when bees are eliminated and there is no pollination?
- Is cross breeding bees beneficial?
- Why are wasp attacking their own subspecies?
Hi, I really wanted to do that particular service learning but I ether was working or had chemistry lab in the morning when one of those events were going on. I found the concept of honey extraction very interesting especially because I love honey related products. I am not a fan of bees in particular but know that they are beneficial to our ecosystem. Lets just say I wont be making a carrier working with them. I didn't know that wasps were attacking their own subspecies thats something that I would want to know why too! Also I thought the idea of the queen bee cage is a stroke of genius, They use a similar process with introducing other cats too each other because most cats don't like each other at first and it can be dangerous so people will use scent association to build positive association with another cat by feeding on the opposite sides of doors so they don't see each other but can smell each other and associate the smell of the other cat as being fed great high value food!
ReplyDeleteKarley, I always kind of wanted to go to a bee club meeting because of the loss of all the bees recently, but never did. I had no idea that in bee farming there is a special tool for introducing the queen bee to her minions. How do you think these artificial bees will effect society and the other remaining bees out there, while they last?
ReplyDeleteHi Karley, your post has many good pictures. It's my first time seeing how the honey was extracted. I planned to attend but my schedule got conflict so I didn't make it to the honey extraction. But reading your post made me want to attend next time if I have chances. I didn't know that you would use the thing look like the peeler to uncap the wax t get the honey. Would you recommended to everyone to attend to this service learning?
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