4-H Embryology in the Classroom 2023
University of Illinois Extension, Peoria and Tazewell Counties are pleased to offer the Embryology in the Classroom program to area educators. This program is designed to provide elementary through high school teachers with knowledge and resources on the chicken's egg, its importance to man and its role in reproduction of the species.
By using supplies provided by University of Illinois Extension and your own supplemental resources, your students will learn about incubation and embryonic development while enhancing programs in science, language arts, mathematics, social studies and art. This hands-on project is designed to give your students the opportunity to hatch chicks in their own classroom. During the 21-day incubation period, students learn to prepare eggs, set up an incubator, record progress, turn eggs, and test eggs for fertility.
There are two rounds of the Embryology in the Classroom program. Both sessions have limited equipment available. Openings are filled on a first come, first served basis. To be completely registered, the U of I Extension office must have a completed online registration AND payment. PLEASE ENTER ONE CLASSROOM PER REGISTRATION! The 2023 program fee is $25, which covers a dozen and half (18) fertilized eggs and other materials.
SESSION 1
February 20: 9 AM - 4:30 PM Equipment/supplies distributed at U of I Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin; Embryology Training Video released via email
February 27: 3-5:30 PM Egg Pick Up at U of I Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin
February 28: Incubation begins — set eggs in AM
March 20-23: Eggs Hatch
March 24: 9 AM - 4:30 PM Return Equipment and hatched chicks (without homes) to U of I Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin
SESSION 2
April 17: 9 AM - 4:30 PM Equipment/supplies distributed at U of I Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin; Embryology Training Video released via email
April 24: 3-5:30 PM Egg Pick Up at U of I Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin
April 25: Incubation begins — set eggs in AM
May 15-18: Eggs Hatch
May 19: 9 AM - 4:30 PM Return Equipment and hatched chicks (without homes) to U of I Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin
U of I Extension provides:
- Teachers’ Training
- Incubator
- Egg turner
- A variety of support materials for your classroom
- Chick feed
- Cheese cloth for incubator
- Fertilized eggs
- Assistance in finding homes for hatched chicks
- Assistance throughout the incubation period with any concerns or questions
Teachers are expected to:
- View the Embryology Training Video provided by University of Illinois Extension
- Pick up your equipment at the Extension office on the designated date
- Pick up the fertilized eggs at the Extension office on the designated date
- Return equipment in the same condition it was lent out (clean & with all parts) on the designated date
- Assist in finding homes for the hatched chicks
- Provide classroom data
- Provide a heat lamp, feeder, waterer, & box with bedding for hatched chicks (U of I Extension has limited extras of heat lamps and feeders/waterers available)
- Complete post-program surveys