Several classrooms across the Penn-Trafford School District recently got a hands-on lesson in animal life cycles by incubating and caring for baby ducks and chicks.
At Harrison Park Elementary, students in Mrs. Pratt’s second-grade class and Mrs. Caruso’s first-grade class completed an exciting duck incubation project. Each class received 13 duck eggs and spent approximately 28 days incubating them while learning about the duck life cycle. Students monitored the incubators’ temperature and humidity throughout the day and “candled” the eggs to observe the ducklings’ development inside.
When the ducklings finally hatched, students enjoyed the opportunity to hold and care for them before the ducklings were moved to a local farm, where they will continue to be cared for.
“I loved when the eggs hatched and I was able to hold them,” said Cullen Duck, a student in Mrs. Pratt’s class. “They were so tiny and fluffy!”
At Sunrise Estates Elementary, first- and fifth-grade classrooms each incubated 30 eggs donated by a fifth-grade student whose family owns a farm. Over the course of 21 days, students learned about the chicken life cycle while awaiting the chicks’ arrival.
More than 40 chicks hatched at the school, bringing excitement and celebration to the building. After several days of classroom care, the chicks were returned to the student’s farm.
“The student gives us updates to share with the classrooms about how the chicks are growing,” said fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Emilie Shogan. “The chicks hatching brought so much joy and excitement to our building for both the students and the teachers!”
At Level Green Elementary School, first-grade students also enjoyed a memorable science experience as they watched baby chicks hatch in their classrooms. Each classroom incubated 30 eggs donated from a local farm, and after 21 days, 19 chicks hatched in each room.
“Students observed the entire process and helped care for the chicks by watching them eat and drink and even getting the chance to hold them,” said first-grade teacher Mrs. Kristy Giovannitti. “The first graders at Level Green truly enjoyed every moment of watching the chicks grow and thrive.”
Level Green Elementary first-graders Finn Connors, Olivia Patterson, Blake Feathers, Hannah Wright, and Leo Ionadi hold some of the baby chicks in Mrs. Giovannitti’s classroom
Harrison Park second-grader McKenzie Trujillo cradles a duckling
Sunrise Elementary fifth-grader Rocco Mlaka holds one of the classroom chicks
Level Green 1st grader Vayda Wassel holds one of Miss Hlavsa’s classroom chicks