Buzzing Gardens and Pesticide Perils: Exploring the Marvels of Pollinators While Navigating the Delicate Balance Between Agricultural Production and Environmental Sustainability

Pesticides play a crucial role in agriculture by effectively managing pest populations, increasing crop yields and economic productivity, and ensuring food security for a growing global population.  Neonicotinoid insecticides have become an increasingly popular option for their high toxicity and effective management against insect pests.  Unfortunately, the indiscriminate nature of neonicotinoid toxicity comes at a cost with increased risks towards beneficial pollinators that are critical for environmental sustainability.  While many countries have banned the use of neonicotinoids, others are just now beginning to regulate and restrict their use. Despite the threats neonicotinoids pose to beneficial pollinators, K-12 science education lacks adequate instruction essential for fostering informed and responsible citizens on this matter. This study examines the development and retention of knowledge regarding human impacts on pollinators through an elementary agricultural education (EAE) curriculum intervention. Researchers employed a pre- and post-test assessment with fifth-grade students enrolled in an EAE program using a five-day pollinator and pesticide-focused lessons. A convenience sampling method was used, and data were analyzed via paired samples t-tests. Our results indicate a significant increase in student understanding, demonstrating the curriculum’s effectiveness in educating learners about pollinators and environmental sustainability. These findings highlight the need for integrating pollinator education across K-12 agricultural pathways to foster informed citizenship and environmental stewardship to protect both crops and pollinator health, all while meeting societal  needs. Future research will explore the expansion of curriculum development in middle and high school agricultural education, incorporating citizen science initiatives to enhance student engagement and real-world learning.