1. Can bees tell time inquiry What is adaptive advantage of an internal clock?

2. Bees cannot tell timeBees cannot tell time Hypothesis

3. Protocol Test protocol: Place a dish of 35% sugar water on a window sill, scent with peppermint oil. After bees find the dish remove it. Then return the dish to the window sill from 11 AM – 12 PM each day. Remove dish at other times. Train bees for 1 week.Test protocol: Place a dish of 35% sugar water on a window sill, scent with peppermint oil. After bees find the dish remove it. Then return the dish to the window sill from 11 AM – 12 PM each day. Remove dish at other times. Train bees for 1 week.

4. Data collection After 1 week of training, place an empty feed dish in the window sill at 8 AMAfter 1 week of training, place an empty feed dish in the window sill at 8 AM Record bee visits to the dish for 15 minute intervals beginning at 8 AM and ending at 4 PMRecord bee visits to the dish for 15 minute intervals beginning at 8 AM and ending at 4 PM Have students repeat the experiment 3 times at different locationsHave students repeat the experiment 3 times at different locations

5. Reporting findings Plot results as a histogramPlot results as a histogram Ask students what the results suggest about their hypothesisAsk students what the results suggest about their hypothesis Encourage students to speculate about how honey bees might benefit from a sense of timeEncourage students to speculate about how honey bees might benefit from a sense of time

6. Conclusions Bees have an internal clock that is tied to a 24 hour circadian rhythmBees have an internal clock that is tied to a 24 hour circadian rhythm Bees can be trained to come to a feeder at the same time each day without external signalsBees can be trained to come to a feeder at the same time each day without external signals Bees cannot be trained to come to a feeder at 9 hour intervals, or any other interval than 24 hoursBees cannot be trained to come to a feeder at 9 hour intervals, or any other interval than 24 hours