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Chicken Embryology

students working at their desk on chicken embryology

The 4-H Chicken Embryology School enrichment program is an interactive life science program that uses avian eggs to demonstrate the stages of embryonic development. Students learn about the life cycles through the observation of chicken embryo development and explore the needs of living things while practicing science inquiry skills of observation, comparison, measuring and data recording.

This program has five lessons and spans over the course of four to five weeks during the incubation period for chicken eggs (21 days).

  • Lesson 1 – Prepare the Chick Habitat - Adaptation
  • Lesson 2 – Investigating the Inside of an Egg - Growth and Development of Organisms
  • Lesson 3 – Investigating How Scientists Use Technology - Structure and Function
  • Lesson 4 – Brooder Setup & Investigating Chicken Types - Inheritance of Traits & Variation of Traits
  • Lesson 5 – Engineering Design Egg Catcher Challenge - Human Impacts on Earth Systems

Reach

4-H school enrichment programs have already made a difference in classrooms across the state. Check out the map below to see where we’ve partnered with schools. Explore the locations to learn more about our growing reach and commitment to hands-on learning.

Audience

The Chicken Embryology school enrichment program is for 3rd to 5th-grade students.

Delivery

WVU Extension will lead the adventures and bring materials for the activities.

Time Commitment

The incubation period for chicken eggs is 21 days. The five sessions are spread out during the course of that period, with some additional days prior to and following hatch for the students to observe the chickens in the brooder.

Cost

The curriculum materials are FREE, and the Extension Office will provide any supplies needed to complete this project.

Education Standards

  • WV NxGen S.3.GS.7 Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.
  • WV NxGen S.3.GS.9 Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles, but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death
  • WV NxGen S.3.GS.10 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variations of these traits exist in a group of similar organisms
  • WV NxGen S.4.GS.9 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
  • WV NxGen S.5.GS.10 Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
  • WV NxGen S.3-5.ETS.2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

How do I get this program into my classroom?

eggs in incubator

Our programs offer hands-on learning experiences that complement classroom instruction and engage students in meaningful ways. Are you ready to bring engaging, hands-on learning activities to your students? Please fill out our short interest survey to start the process. We’ll follow up to discuss options and tailor the program to your school’s needs.

School Enrichment Interest Form

Contacts

Jenny Murray

Jenny Murray

Associate Program Leader for 4-H Youth Development & WVU Extension Specialist – Positive Youth Development

phone 304-293-7993
email Jenny.Murray@mail.wvu.edu

About Jenny Murray