“…the research on cognitive processing supports the importance of a teacher initiating activities that require students to process and apply new information” Rosenshine, Barak (ASU).
The Kenton County Cooperative Extension Service 4-H agent with agriculture responsibilities presented two teacher orientation programs for educators hosting egg incubators in local classrooms. 6 teachers participated, representing 3 school districts.  Due to the current covid protocol and potential exposure to salmonella the educational program was required for incubator hosts.  All teachers noted that they were willing to attend an orientation program for the benefit of their students and to allow their students to experience hatching chicks from fertilized eggs. The UK Cooperative Extension Service provided incubators and all necessary supplies including fertilized eggs. The chick embryology program was completed with five elementary schools and one high school reaching 675 youth in grades 1 through 12. Results from teacher evaluations indicate that by completing the 4-H chick embryology project students learned life skills and subsequently learned or demonstrated the corresponding National Science Standard science skills.  The following science standards are recognized as being met: life cycles of organisms, organisms in their environments, and characteristics of organisms. 100% of the teachers indicated the embryology project provided an educational and science-based experience. 100% of the teachers felt the students gained an appreciation of living things. Students were able to present observations and construct an evidence-based account that young animals are like but not exactly like their parents – describing inherited traits and variation traits.  An elementary teacher shared her classroom experience with families at home via a webcam.  She reported that parents were watching the chicks interact all night and she received constant emails from families about the chicks and their care.  The American Egg Board Egg Reader resource was provided to all youth and incorporated science, math, nutrition, and food safety.  The resource was utilized for at home and classroom instruction as well as a pickup packet for 4-H Poultry club members.  

One teacher quote included, “Hatching chicks of course is the most education, but learning about the parts of an egg really helps them make a claim that eggs have structures that help the chicks survive and grow.”  100% of participating teachers plan to incorporate embryology in their classroom in 2022.  Hatched chicks were placed in forever homes with 4-H families involved in the 4-H poultry project.