Hi,
I'm cannot positively identify this bee from this photo even though it is an excellent photo. Without a physical specimen to examine, we cannot be sure. Identifying characteristics are often only seen under magnification. It is most likely in the genus Bombus, which are bumble bees.

Here is a publication from the US Forest Service and the Pollinator Partnership, "Bumble Bees of the Western United States". You and your students might find it interesting to go through this to learn more about the vast number of bumble bees in the Western part of the US. As you look through this extensive guide, you will find that one needs to be able to count the number of segments in antennae and abdomen. And that  there  is a lot of variation in coloration between queens, workers, and drones of each species. And even different coloration within the species.

The Xerces Society has a guide called, "Bumble Bee Conservation", which might spark even more interest in bees from your students.