2026 Incubation & Embryology Program | Kankakee County

Teachers, are you looking for a hands on science program for your classroom? Families, are you looking for something unique to do at home that is exciting and a great learning opportunity? Illinois Extension is once again offering the University of Illinois Incubation & Embryology Classroom program.

The Program:

This course is designed to provide elementary and high school teachers, youth facilitators, and educators 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.

Training for 2026:

This year, we will have in-person and virtual training options. All teachers NEW to the program are required to take the training, and also returning teachers who have not received training for 5+ years. All other teachers are welcome to attend. Classroom assistants are also welcome to attend.
In-Person Training:
In-person training will be held at the Kankakee County Extension Office (1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais, IL 60914) on Wednesday, March 18, 4-6 p.m. This interactive 2-hour training prepares teachers with the knowledge they need to hatch eggs in their classrooms. This is a required training for teachers who have not previously been trained. ISBE Professional Development Hours (PDH) are available for this training

Virtual Trainings:
These trainings will be offered in a LIVE virtual format, and are available if you are not able to make the March 18 date. If you are a first-time embryology participant, it is preferred that you attend the in-person training on March 18. Provided by Retired University of Illinois Extension Poultry Specialist, Dr. Ken Koelkebeck. ISBE Professional Development Hours (PDH) are available for this virtual LIVE training. There will be beginner and advanced training.
ISBE Professional Development Hours (PDH) are available for this virtual LIVE training. Sessions will be recorded, but new teachers MUST attend LIVE and only the LIVE versions of these trainings qualify for PDH credit.

Beginner Trainings

Wednesday, February 11 – 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3 – 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Advanced Trainings

Thursday, February 12 – 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 5 – 4:30–6:00 p.m.

Egg Pick-Up:

Egg Pick-up will be available on 2 days, before and after school. Chicken egg incubation is approximately 21 days. If you have already been through teacher training with us in the past 5 years, you may order eggs without training. Egg pick-ups are April 15 OR 22 at (7:00 am-4:30 pm.) at the Kankakee Extension Office. (1650 Commerce Dr. Bourbonnais, IL 60914)

Chick Drop-Off: PLEASE READ

Long-term chick care drop-off is on May 8 & 15, 2026, at the Extension office. Returning chicks is not optional. If you know a farmer or poultry handler whom you would like to place the chicks with, it is subject to the approval of the University of Illinois Extension staff. You must coordinate this with the office before egg pickup.Chicks may never be taken home by students or teachers unless the family is already experienced with poultry, has agreed to all logistics in advance, and is properly set up for poultry care. If chicks are not delivered to an approved long-term care provider, the teacher may be subject to a $50 fee and/or becoming ineligible for future embryology program participation.

Demographic Information: University of Illinois Extension receives federal funding for its educational programming and must report demographic information for individuals served. Please complete the survey on student demographics ASAP located in the registration confirmation email. If your embryology program is shared by classrooms, or in some cases, put in a common area, please count all of those students. This form is required and due by Egg Pick-up. Your registration will be canceled if the forms are not submitted by the deadline.

Registration Fee:

New Teachers (& teachers attending training) - TWO DOZEN OPTION: $38 (includes the training, 2 dozen fertile eggs, starter chick feed, curriculum, and teacher resource packet.)

Returning Teachers eggs only (with no training needed): $15 a dozen (includes starter chick feed)

Requests for fee waivers: Extension is committed to ensuring that educational opportunities exist for all. A limited number of fee waivers may be available for this program. If you truly cannot afford the costs of this program, please get in touch with the coordinator to discuss.

Before the date of egg pickup, you must also have access to the following items:

You will need to have access to a working incubator. These can easily be purchased at a farm supply or hardware store for about $100 and can be used more than once. Please test your incubator before using. If you need purchasing suggestions, contact the coordinator. You will also need a chick waterer and chick feeder - these can also be purchased at farm supply stores.

NO refunds will be given for this program as pre-ordering fertilized eggs has to be done in advance. ---

Requests for reasonable accommodations:

If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in this program (such as translated materials, closed-captioning, high black/white contrast material, etc.) please contact Barbara Dubravec (bud23@illinois.edu)- Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

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Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

Please choose your Training Date One in-person training is offered. This training will take place at the Kankakee County Extension Office on March 18 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. NEW TEACHERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE TRAINING

IF ATTENDING TRAINING: Please list the names of all who will be attending training and your IEIN number (if requesting PDH credit). There is no additional fee for these staff to attend. Email addresses are required to send training Zoom information.

Name of school/organization: If you are an individual family, please type "Family"

Please describe your school/organization

What grades/ages will be working with this program?

How many dozen eggs would you like? Recommended minimum of two - one dozen can be chosen, but note that not all eggs will hatch and with only one dozen, it becomes more likely that none or very few chicks might hatch.

1 ($15.00)

2 ($30.00)

3 ($45.00)

Which date would you like to pick up eggs?

April 15

April 22nd

Which date would you like to drop-off chicks? please note that you will probably want to do the earlier date if you do the first date for pick-up.

May 8

May 15

How many years have you been conducting the University of Illinois Incubation & Embryology Program in your classroom?

This is my first year.

One - two years not including this year

Three to four years not including this year

Five years or more not including this year

Please confirm that you've read and understood the refund policy REFUND POLICY: NO refunds will be given for this program as pre-ordering fertilized eggs has to be done in advance. If your situation changes substantially after you've submitted your registration, this program can be presented virtually! Other, remote options include livestreaming the hatch for students, posting videos to social media or virtual classroom, posting pictures, etc. If you need ideas, contact the coordinator at the info above.

I confirm I have read the policy and understand there are no refunds available for this program

Please confirm your understanding to the Demographic reporting requirement University of Illinois Extension receives federal funding for their educational programming and must report certain demographic information for individuals served.

The survey for demographic information will be emailed to all participants. If your embryology program is shared by classrooms, or in some cases, put in a common area, please count all of those students.

I understand that I will receive and complete an Embryology Program Demographic 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 program.

Please confirm that you've read and understood the chick return requirements. I acknowledge that I am responsible for making appropriate long-term care arrangements for all hatched chicks, that has been approved by the University of Illinois Extension. Students may not take chicks home unless all requirements outlined above are met. I understand that failure to deliver chicks to an approved provider may result in a $50 fee and/or becoming ineligible for future embryology program participation.

I confirm that I have read and understand the Chick Return and Long-Term Care Policy.

Refund Policy

NO refunds will be given for this program as pre-ordering fertilized eggs has to be done in advance. If your situation changes substantially after you've submitted your registration, this program can be presented virtually! Other, remote options include livestreaming the hatch for students, posting videos to social media or virtual classroom, posting pictures, etc. If you need ideas, contact the coordinator at the info below.

Total Registration Cost $