Embryology in the Classroom
Register Online for the 2023 Program
University of Illinois Extension, Peoria and Tazewell Counties are pleased to offer the 2023 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.
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 Extension office must have a completed online registration AND payment. The 2023 program fee is $25, which covers a dozen and half (18) fertilized eggs and other materials.
2023 SESSION 1
February 210: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Equipment/supplies distributed at Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin; Embryology Training Video released via email
February 27: 3-5:30 p.m. Egg Pick Up at Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin
February 28: Incubation begins — set eggs in the morning
March 20-23: Eggs Hatch
March 24 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Return Equipment and hatched chicks (without homes) to Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin
2023 SESSION 2
April 17: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Equipment/supplies distributed at Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin; Embryology Training Video released via email
April 24: 3-5:30 p.m. Egg Pick Up at Extension office of choice, Peoria or Pekin
April 25: Incubation begins — set eggs in the morning
May 15-18: Eggs Hatch
May 19: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Return Equipment and hatched chicks (without homes) to 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 and with all parts) on the designated date
- Assist in finding homes for the hatched chicks
- Provide classroom data
- Provide a heat lamp, feeder, waterer, and box with bedding for hatched chicks
- Complete post-program surveys
This course is designed to provide elementary and high school teachers 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.
Detailed information on the stages of embryonic development and the preservation of embryos will be included. Instructional methods will include lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and visual aids. Suggestions on how to use classroom incubation and embryonic development projects to enhance programs in science, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and art will be offered. 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.
Tazewell County 4-H and Peoria County 4-H have annual Embryology in the Classroom programs with set dates and trainings. Fulton and Mason 4-H have incubators that can be checked out.
Embryology in the Classroom Binder
Bibliography of Related Children's Books
ChickQuest Slides of embryo development
Egg Color, Sizes, and Grading Worksheet
Embryology in the Classroom Certificate
Embryonic Development Days 1 - 21
Explore the Inside of an Egg Worksheet
Room and Weather Conditions chart
U of I Poultry Program Fun Facts Book
Videos
- Incubator Set Up
- The Incredible Infertile Egg
- Setting the Eggs
- Eggsploring the Egg - Candling to see Air Pockets
- Facebook Live - Day 7 Candling Our Eggs in the Incubator
- Explore the Inside of An Egg (accompanying worksheet linked above)
- Egg Shell Strength Experiments
- Facebook Live - Day 14 of Incubation Process
- Egg Color, Sizes, and Grading Activities (accompanying worksheet linked above)
- Egg Soak Experiment (accompanying worksheet linked above)
- Facebook Live - Day 17 Candling Our Eggs
- Facebook Live - Day 21 Hatching and External Pips
- Shaking and Chirping Egg (example of the beginning of hatching process)
Additional Resources
University of Illinois Extension is pleased to offer the Embryology in the Classroom program to area teachers. 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.
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 added to the Registration list, the Extension office must have all completed forms and payment.
Embryology in the Classroom Certificate
Use this certificate as a fun way for students to remember their experience with Embryology in the Classroom.
Classroom Note to be sent home to parents
This note can be edited to add specific information about what your class has been doing during your Embryology in the Classroom experience. OR you may use the wording and add it to your own classroom website or newsletter. It is a great way to help parents understand the connection between this special project and University of Illinois Extension.
