As a science project for understanding development and reproduction, Chickscope was very interesting. The project provided students and teachers with an opportunity to raise chicks in their classrooms.

In the beginning of the project, students from several classrooms (primary to high school) participated in hands-on activities, such as slicing hard-boiled eggs or candling eggs. Towards the end of the project, the newly hatched chicks became a focal point of discussion due to the incubator in the classroom.

Figure 9 shows some students from a high school classroom discussing chick embryonic development. The classroom teacher made a video of their egg candling experience for other participating schools to review. Figure 10 is a short movie clip of students identifying blood vessels.

The resource materials provided by the Champaign County Cooperative Extension Service included suggested egg activities for the classroom. Teachers interested in chick embryology should contact their county extension unit for such resources.

Figure 9. Candling an egg in the classroom

Figure 10. Identifying blood vessels