Success Story: 4-H Chick Hatching Project at Lakeside Elementary School

At Lakeside Elementary School in Sandy Hook, Kentucky, 60 third-grade students had the unique opportunity to experience the miracle of life through the 4-H Chick Hatching Project. Using 4-H educational materials—which includes an incubator with turners, a candler, brooder, chick feed, waterer, feeder, curriculum materials, and educational videos—students were immersed in a 21-day hands-on learning experience.

Throughout the project, students learned about the life cycle of a chicken, embryology, and animal care, with the highlight being the moment the eggs began to hatch. To make the experience accessible to all, the classroom teacher set up a YouTube livestream so students, families, and even other classes could witness the chicks hatching in real time.

The project culminated in a meaningful fundraiser: once the chicks reached an appropriate age, they were auctioned off, with all proceeds going to support the Elliott County 4-H camp fund. This added a real-world element of community service and agricultural economics to the students’ learning.

The Lakeside Elementary 4-H Chick Hatching Project was not only educational—it was unforgettable. It inspired curiosity, taught responsibility, and connected students to agriculture and community in a powerful way.