Alcona students learn all about chickens in embryology project

LINCOLN, Mich. – Alcona students are getting a chance to learn all about baby chicks this month.

They’re cute, yellow and even black?!

“It’s like a mini dwarf chicken it’s not going to get big,” said Alcona Elementary first grade teacher Brooke Green.

First grade teachers at Alcona Elementary are using a different model to help their students learn about science.

“So place based learning is a style of learning where students work with the community and it benefits the community and it increases student engagement while also helping students to reach their learning goals,” said Alcona Elementary Science Teacher Jenny Schroeder.

And engaged they are, the 1st graders are getting a first hand look at the full process of seeing baby chicks from embryo to life.

Even though Alcona Community Schools had to switch to a remote learning plan the project still moved forward.

“If we didn’t go remote, I would’ve missed a lot of mine hatching,” said Green.

A live feed and internet camera put a positive spin on an abrupt situation.

“They got to see right from their house the chickens hatching, ” said Green.

“There was one student singing happy birthday to it, one that was giving it motivation, telling the chicks come on, you can do this,” said Alcona first grade teacher Danielle Jirasek.

Green and Jirasek along with first grade teacher Alexandra Yokom said they can’t wait for the kids to meet the chicks in person.

“Depending on how long we have to be remote, they can stay a bit longer, ” said Schroeder.

Currently, students are learning how fast the chicks are growing. They’re graphing and recording data from home.

The science department and teachers who are participating in the program want to thank the Lions Club and their local 4–H for supplies and books for their students.