Life cycles are a part of the core Science Standard in Kentucky.  To help youth better understand life cycles 4-H has stepped in to give students a hands on experience.  First graders from Eden Elementary and Inez Elementary are participating in chick incubation projects.  Warfield Elementary will also participate.  We have mixed results so far hatching the chicks but students are having fun and learning a lot along the way.  

We are starting out with four 1^st grade classes totaling 90 kids.  We will expand with two more classes in the coming weeks.  4-H supplied all the learning materials, incubators, fertilized eggs and everything classes will need after the eggs have hatched.  We are early in the project at Eden but Inez has already hatched several chicks. The students have really enjoyed learning about each stage of life cycle as we go.  It is a good learning experience for the kids to know that if they follow the correct steps their project will be a success.

The project is in the initial stages so impact has only been measured by what the kids have learned so far.  Not only are the kids learning valuable science lessons, they are learning teamwork, patience, cooperation and other important life skills.  This project will also help to recruit future members to 4-H.  Starting at the clover bud level is a great way to retain kids for future programs.