2026 Embryology Program: Teacher Training (DuPage, Kane, Kendall)

2026 INCUBATION & EMBRYOLOGY PROGRAM with 4-H and University of Illinois Extension serving DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties

The 4-H Embryology Program allows students to experience chicks hatching in their classroom or learning environment! Just three weeks of incubation transforms a seemingly lifeless chicken egg into an active, living being. During the 21-day incubation period, students learn how to prepare eggs, set up an incubator, record progress, turn eggs, and test eggs for fertility. The project aligns with both Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core Standards. The program is designed for youth in grades K to 5, but can be adapted for older students.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

4-H provides online training, classroom resources, and egg ordering services so that educators can bring embryology to their classes.
Educators attend training, provide program equipment and supplies, teach and oversee the program for their students, and provide participant information and program evaluation data.
Supplies (include but are not limited to the following items with approx. costs listed):
- Incubator with built-in egg turner ($150)
- Thermometer (varies)
- Brooder box and bedding ($25)
- Egg candler (optional - $20)
- Heat lamp ($7)
- Chick waterer ($5)
- Chick feeder ($5)
- Other items with nominal costs that may be needed include: pencil, bleach, thermostat wafer, turkey/meat baster, marbles, wet sponges, chicken wire, cheese cloth wipes, and additional chick feed.
Teachers who attend the Beginner Teacher Training will get additional information about program supplies.

IMPORTANT DATES

Beginner training: Feb. 11 (Wed.) – 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Beginner training: March 3 (Tues.) – 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Advanced training: Feb. 12 (Thurs.) – 4:30-6 p.m.
Advanced training: March 5 (Thurs.) – 4:30-6 p.m.

Fertile egg pick-up: April 14
Hatch: Week of May 4th

2026 TEACHER TRAINING REGISTRATION
Note: It is the recommendation of our trainers that educators doing the embryology project complete a beginner or advanced training once every five years in order to achieve continued success.

Beginner Training (2 PDH)

First-time teachers can attend one of two virtual training sessions: Feb. 11 or March 3, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Led by U of I Extension Poultry Specialist Dr. Ken Koelkebeck (2 PDH may be earned)
A Zoom meeting link will be sent prior to the training.
Cost: $30 includes training and resources. Eggs are NOT included with trainings.

Advanced Training (1.5 PDH)

Refresher course for teachers that have attended the beginner training and have run the project in the past.
Choice of two virtual trainings: February 12 or March 5, from 4:30-6 p.m.
Led by U of I Extension Poultry Specialist Dr. Ken Koelkebeck (1.5 PDH may be earned).
A Zoom link will be sent prior to the training.
Cost: $20 includes training and resources. Eggs are NOT included with trainings.

Information on 2026 egg orders:

Fertile egg supply may be limited this year, so please plan to place orders as early as possible.
Each educator will be limited to 1 set, 2 dozen eggs, per person/registration. If you would like to purchase multiple sets for your school or need one invoice for multiple teachers, please contact Katie McFarland at ksm@illinois.edu for approval.

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PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING BEFORE MOVING FORWARD

Program Notes:

Teachers must provide their own equipment to participate in this project. (see list above)
We cannot guarantee fertility of eggs. (average 90% fertility rate)
We cannot guarantee hatch of eggs, as so many factors can impact project success.
While we try to get layer bird eggs, there may be Cornish Rock (meat birds) unless otherwise informed.
Mark your calendar with important dates (listed above) and keep a lookout for updates via email.
This program is designed for those who teach in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties. To find another local program, contact your local Extension office.

Payment and Refund Policy: Credit charges will be billed as 'University of Illinois' charges on your card statement. Checks must be received prior to your training date unless otherwise agreed upon. Egg Order payment is due by March 3rd, 2026. Please mail to University of Illinois Extension, 7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville IL 60560. No refunds once an order is placed due to fertile egg supplier requirements.

Communication: 4-H staff will email updates, reminders and helpful hints during the 3-week incubation process. All communications are sent by email, so please be sure that we always have your most up-to-date email address. Please also take note of our website (go.illinois.edu/embryology4Hdkk). All important dates and contact information also can be found there.

Required Forms: Please complete all of the registration questions. You also will receive an Illinois 4-H Program Group Enrollment form to fill out. Extension receives local, state, and federal funding and is therefore required to gather demographic data. Completion of this demographic information (for all youth who will benefit from the program) is required for egg pick-up. We appreciate you using raw numbers and not percentages as you complete the form. Thank you!

Questions or requests: If you have any questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact please contact 4-H Education Enrichment Coordinator Katie McFarland at ksm@illinois.edu, or call 630-553-5823. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

THANK YOU for your participation!

This program is designed for those who teach in DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties. To find another local program, find your local Extension office or call:

Lake: 847-223-8627
McHenry: 815-338-3737
Cook, Chicago: 773-768-7779
Cook, North (Arlington Heights): 847-201-4176
Cook, South (Matteson): 708-679-6889
Will: 815-727-9296
Grundy: 815-942-2725

Create an account

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

SCHOOL or ORGANIZATION:

FIRST/LAST NAME of the EDUCATOR attending this training:

EMAIL of EDUCATOR attending the training: 4-H staff will email important information for trainings and egg pick up to this email address, as well as updates, reminders, and helpful hints during the 3-week incubation process.

CITY of school or organization

COUNTY of school or organization: Please choose the county where you teach or will administer this program. This order/registration is for educators in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties.

If you chose "Other," please list county here: It is recommended to participate in your school's county. For more information on this program in other counties: Lake: 847-223-8627 McHenry: 815-338-3737 Cook, Chicago: 773-768-7779 Cook, North (Arlington Heights): 847-201-4176 Cook, South (Matteson): 708-679-6889 Will: 815-727-9296 Grundy: 815-942-2725

TRAINING REGISTRATION: Includes: online training, plus access to training materials and 4-H staff availability for questions. Note: Egg orders are separate and the training price has been reduced to reflect that.

Beginner Training on Feb. 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m. ($30.00)

Beginner Training on March 3, 4:30-6:30 p.m. ($30.00)

Advanced Training on Feb. 12, 4:30-6 p.m. ($20.00)

Advanced Training on March 5, 4:30-6 p.m. ($20.00)

If you are attending a training and want credit for professional development hours, please provide your IEIN number: This is for professional development hours related to the trainings. If you are not doing a training or do not have an IEIN number, please feel free to answer "N/A."

Please read and acknowledge the following statement: If your district/organization needs to order for multiple educators on one invoice, please contact 4-H Education Enrichment Coordinator Katie McFarland at ksm@illinois.edu.

I understand that fertile egg ordering will be done through a separate registration this year, and that teacher training does not include eggs.

Please read and acknowledge the following statement:

I understand that it is the recommendation of U of I Extension trainers that educators doing the embryology project complete a beginner or advanced training once every five years in order to achieve continued success.

Please read and acknowledge the following statement:

I understand that U of I Extension cannot guarantee hatch or fertility of eggs, as so many factors can impact project success.

Please read and acknowledge the following statement: At a later date, you will receive an Illinois 4-H Program Group Enrollment Form, which will be required before Egg Pick-Up. Extension receives local, state, and federal funding and is therefore required to gather demographic data.

I understand that I will receive and complete an Illinois 4-H Program Group Enrollment Form with accurate information about the youth participants, and return the form before egg pick-up. I will respond with raw numbers (not percentages) that include all the youth in all classrooms benefiting from this egg order.

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.

Gender

Ethnicity

Race

Refund Policy

Refunds are not available for this program.

Total Registration Cost $