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4-H Embryology Project
| Name | Robin Currence | | Situation | Students in many classrooms can benefit from hands-on learning experiences. Students in self-contained classes (students with various types of learning disabilities) truly benefit from such opportunities. Such educational media bring to life their studies, particularly in science. | | Response | A middle school teacher in Chester County, who also serves on the 4-H Council, has realized the value of 4-H projects and curricula for her students. She is currently using the 4-H Food and Nutrition curriculum, “Six Easy Bites”, and has taken her students through three units! But the greatest satisfaction in a 4-H endeavor has come through their recent participation in the 4-H Embryology project. The goals of the 4-H Embryology Project are to help youth understand the science of reproduction and to give them an opportunity to care for a living being. The project offers numerous tie-ins with reading, writing, mathematics (calculating days to hatch, etc.), and other subjects, in addition to science.
The students and their teacher started a 4-H Embryology project in late March. These students, who have been in this teacher’s class for the past two years, and the teacher, have attempted this project twice before with no success (no hatch). I presented an initial overview of the development of the chick inside the egg, reviewed the operation of the incubator with them (loaned from our office), and obtained fertilized chicken eggs. The teacher and students carried out the project for the ensuing three weeks.
| | Impact | The teacher’s e-mail to me will serve as the evaluation of the project:
“We are the proud parents of two chicks! You should have seen George!!! It was so classic! Jumping up and down, (saying) ‘I knew it! I knew it!’ We have one black and one yellow…I have a cardboard box, bedding…lamp….biddy food….Thanks! We are so excited. Sure made a name for 4-H this time! We have students, teachers and administrators in the room all day.” You do need to know George, and his fellow students, as I do, in order to appreciate their excitement. Think of how their studies were literally brought to life! This is one of the best things about 4-H - what we do in 4-H can provide such a tangible learning experience, especially for students who struggle with formal education. This also gives the teacher access to equipment and materials that she might not be able to afford/find, and encourages her greatly when she is able to see her students learning.
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Last update6/24/2008
This website is maintained by Dawn Lee.
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