The 4-H Embryology in the Classroom Project was developed for use in a k-12 classroom, however the materials to support this program can help guide youth and adult helpers in a club-based embryology project. Embryology gives youth the opportunity to learn about the life cycle of a chick during egg development.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Develop an understanding of biology concepts through hands-on experience with living things
- Learn about the development of a chick in the egg
- Increase the youth’s STEM skills and their confidence in thinking like a scientist
- Provide youth the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in embryology
- Allow youth to practice math, science, and literacy through the study of embryology
4-H Embryology Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
Embryology Helper’s Guide Beginner – Digital Download
The 4-H Embryology beginner’s guide uses the experiential learning model to teach children to pick and count chicks, use an incubator, and building a brooder. Skills learned are observing, comparing, measuring, and communicating. This book walks youth through the growing processes inside eggs as the embryo grows.
Embryology Helper’s Guide Advanced – Digital Download
This advanced poultry guide is designed to provide facilitators and youth with background information and exciting experiential activities dealing with life science. It teaches kids the life skills that become important as they grow into adults. With this book, youth will learn to set up incubators, candle eggs for progress measurement, and prepare a brooder box. This curriculum also teaches youth to observe the behavior of chicks after they hatch.
What can we learn from a chick? This school enrichment program challenges youth to use science, technology, engineering, and math skills to investigate the life cycle of an embryonic chicken egg. From monitoring living eggs to observing fluffy chicks, these lively activities pique curiosity, encourage collaboration and communication, and provide young scientists with unforgettable experiences.
Full-color poster of a chicken life cycle is included. A ChickQuest Logbook is required for each student.
Ties to Next Generation Science Standards (2013). See the ChickQuest Lessons at a Glance for a detailed chart showing the lessons, standards, STEM Abilities, Life Skills, and Success Indicators.
This 21-day classroom adventure starts with eggs and ends with chicks. Students are the scientists who help make it happen! This personal ChickQuest Logbook is used to record data and observations.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
State 4-H Embryology Project Resources
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Hatch Games Packet 1: Embryology Packet – University of Missouri Extension (PDF)
Includes a word scrambles, true or false questions, a word searches, and crosswords.
Hatch Games Packet 2 – University of Missouri Extension (PDF)
Embryology Pre-test and Post-test – University of Missouri (PDF)
Embryology Pre-test and Post-test Answer Key – University of Missouri (PDF)
Wooden Brooder – PennState Extension
A strong and reusable brooder which is easy to build.
National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference
The National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference recognizes senior 4-H members who are 14 years of age as of January 1, and who have excelled in their state 4-H poultry learning activities.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Poultry Project
Washington 4-H Poultry Resources
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Embryology Lesson 1: The Incredible Egg – Purdue Extension Orange County (YouTube video)
Embryology Lesson 2: Chicken Habitats – Purdue Extension Orange County (YouTube video)
4-H Embryology Program – University of Florida Extension
Videos on incubators, egg candling, and brooders.
4-H Embryology in the Classroom “A Closer Look” – Pennsylvania State University Extension (PDF)
Let’s Talk About Embryology – North Carolina Cooperative Extension (YouTube video)
Basic embryology and chick development information, including descriptions of what you need to get started in an embryology projects.
Watch 4-H Egg Cam Live! – Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County
You can watch chicks hatch on the 4-H EGG Cam from January through early fall. Off season, the website contains previous stream replays.
Basic Rules for Hatching Chicks – Cornell University Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Don’t Chicken Out Due to Unnecessary Health Concerns – PennState Extension
This article will help inform individuals about the true level of potential health risks associated with the 4-H Embryology in the Classroom project.
Hints for Hatchers – Cornell University Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Basic Rules for Hatching Ducklings – Cornell University Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Hints for Duck Hatchers – Cornell University Cooperative Extension (PDF)
FAQ’s: Answers to Commonly Asked Embryology Questions – PennState Extension
Embryology in the Classroom: Supporting Subject Matter – PennState Extension
From Higher Education Institutions
Stages in chick embryo development – Mississippi State University Extension
Safe Handling of Chicks – University of Kentucky Extension (PDF)
Small Flock Series: Incubation of Poultry – University of Missouri Extension
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Lesson Plans – National Agriculture in the Classroom
Parts of an Egg Diagram – National Agriculture in the Classroom (PDF)
Chicken Embryo Development – Poultry Hub Australia (YouTube video)
- Nebraska Extension - Lancaster County Embryology YouTube Videos
4-H Embryology Initial Classroom Presentation
4-H Embryology Day 7 Candling Classroom Presentation
Chick Hatching (seen on 4-H EGG Cam)
Note that this video is taken from inside the incubator and there is a significant amount of background noise. Viewers may want to start with the volume low.
Brooder Setup for 4-H Embryology
Incubator Setup for 4-H Embryology
Lancaster County 4-H Embryology Playlist
Includes the above videos as well as other older recordings and videos of hatching.
- Missouri 4-H Embryology Resources
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Incubation Problems: Additional Troubleshooting (PDF)
Incubation Problems: Symptoms and Probable Causes Chart (PDF)
Temperature of the Incubator (PDF)
Incubator Cleaning and Disinfecting (PDF)
Preparing For Eggs To Arrive (PDF)
Note that this document makes assumptions of timeline based on the recommendations in the 4-H Embryology in the Classroom curriculum.
Preparing for Eggs to Arrive: Hatching Hint! (PDF)
Embryology in the Classroom: Don’t Chicken Out Due to Unnecessary Health Concerns (PDF)
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H