Prior to last year, what Aubree Davis knew about bees — they buzz, they sting — could fit into the cell of a honeycomb with room to spare.
And that’s what made what happened next such a thrill.
Davis, then a ninth-grader, was one of two Sacred Hearts Academy students recruited by social studies teacher Kinga Wojitas to participate in the Global Natural History Day program, a competitive educational event designed to promote interest in natural science and history to elementary and middle school students.
The first order of business was for the team to come up with a research project that would relate to the theme “Scale of Nature: Micro to Macro.”
A brainstorming session yielded the topic of bees and their important role in food production. Although admittedly light in her knowledge of the subject, Davis was enthusiastic about the idea.
“Like they say, sometimes it’s better to go into something without knowing anything about it,” Davis said.
In the weeks and months to follow, Davis immersed herself in the study of how bees function as food pollinators, their role as a key cog in global food production and the unfolding impact of the worldwide decline in bee populations.
Ask now and Davis will speak at length about the economic impact of bees to Hawaii — some $212 million through pollination and another $3.1 million in honey production — and how the state is the largest producer of queen bees in the world and about the forces that continue to threaten bee populations, including commercial pesticides, varroa mite infestation, malnutrition stemming from lack of crop diversity, habitat destruction, deformed wing virus and the effects of climate change.
Davis presented her findings at the GNHD state finals in April, earning a spot in last month’s prestigious international finals in Chongqing, China.
The honor speaks to Davis’ lifelong love of learning.
“School has always been one of my top priorities, and I’ve always tried to do well,” she said.
Davis grew up in Kaneohe and attended St. Ann Model Schools before enrolling in Sacred Hearts three years ago. In addition to her academic work and her involvement in volleyball, basketball and most recently cross-country running, Davis devotes much time to community service through her local parish and through volunteer work with Special Olympics.
“I just enjoy helping people, and I like the feeling you get when you can put a smile on someone’s face,” she said. “Those smiles are contagious.”
Davis’ trip to China in July was her first time out of the country, and she relished the opportunity to experience another culture at ground level, from the wonder of natural rock bridges to the cacophony of automobile horns in the city to the curiosity of Asian-style “squatty potties.”
Davis enjoyed the full schedule of activities set out for her and the other participants, but she also knew that she’d have to be at her best to compete against her international peers.
For her project, Davis, who was accompanied by Wojitas, assembled a rotating exhibit designed like a honeycomb and made a 15-minute presentation to the judges. When it was all over, Davis earned a silver medal in recognition of her excellence amid a talented pool of competitors from some 90 countries.
Davis said she was gratified to place so high given the work she put into her project but has otherwise taken the honor in stride. Her lingering concern is for the future of those bees.
Davis said she hopes to initiate a project that will designate areas for farming of diverse crops, which in turn will help to promote the long-term health of Hawaii’s bee populations.
Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.
