What is more fascinating than seeing a fully developed baby chick emerge from an egg? Just three weeks of incubation transforms a seemingly lifeless chicken egg into an active, living being. Children have a natural sense of curiosity about living things in the world around them. Building on this curiosity, students can develop an understanding of biology concepts through direct experience with living things, their life cycles and their habitats. This curriculum was developed with your students in mind. Many believe that students learn best through their experiences and interactions with the world. They learn by listening, observing, experimenting and applying their knowledge to real-world situations. Each activity within this curriculum follows these steps in the experiential learning model.

For Teachers

This course is designed to provide elementary and middle school teachers with knowledge on the chicken's egg, its importance to man, and its role in reproduction of the species. Course content will be oriented to train teachers to conduct classroom incubation and embryonic development projects. Detailed information on the stages of embryonic development and the preservation of embryos will be included. Instructional methods will include lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and visual aids. Suggestions on how to use classroom incubation and embryonic development projects to enhance programs in science, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and art will be offered. This hands-on project is designed to give your students the opportunity to hatch chicks in their own classroom. During the 21-day incubation period, students learn to prepare eggs, set up an incubator, record progress, turn eggs, and test eggs for fertility. The project aligns with state learning standards.

Key Concepts

  • Animals
  • Biological Science

For Youth Grades K-8th

  • To train educators in the science and techniques of hatching chicks
  • To increase STEM skills, life skills, and science abilities in youth through incubation and embryology
  • To provide opportunities for youth to demonstrate and practice skills mastered in embryology