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.

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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.

ONLINE RESOURCES

baby chicks

Embryology in the Classroom Online Album With Fun Facts

Throughout the 21 day incubation process local Extension staff will be adding photos with embryology facts in the description section.
bright yellow baby chicks

PennState Embryology in the Classroom

This Web site was developed to support the "Embryology In The Classroom" curriculum. Educators will find it extremely helpful as a resource for teaching embryology in the classroom.
close up chicken

American Poultry Association

Poultry comes in all sizes, shapes, colors and personalities. There are nearly 400 breeds and varieties of poultry that offer something for young and old alike.
the egg video screen shot

The Egg - Ohio's Perfect Food Video

The Ohio Poultry Association and the Ohio Soybean Council team up to present an inside look at the history and importance of the egg industry in Ohio.

eggs in school logo

Teacher Resource: American Egg Board

Educational lesson plans, activity sheets, interactive webtools for kindergarten through high school educators that align with the National Education Standards and educate today's youth about the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise.

ChickQuest cover

The Ohio State University Extension ChickQuest

Ohio's 4-H embryology curriculum website includes a variety of activities to enhance your classroom embryology program.
Chickscope logo

University of Illinois Chickscope

This site is old but contains valuable resources, especially for older students. It includes unique scientific resources and expertise to help provide motivation for learning science and mathematics and stimulates interest in the scientific world.

Eggcellent adventures book cover clip

University of Florida Extension Eggcellent Adventures

An interactive guide to chicken embryology geared to 3rd graders.

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.