Recently the first and second graders had the opportunity for a science experiment to incubate and hatch chicks. During the process, we learned that an egg takes 21 days to hatch, must be rotated regularly for proper development (as we learned the hard way), and needs precise levels of warmth and humidity. We had over 20 eggs to observe, but with a hitch at the beginning in the turning mechanism of the incubator, only a handful were viable. The phrase “don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched” came to mind several times as we realized that only a few of the eggs would make it.
After a couple weeks of monitoring the eggs in the incubator, the students enjoyed checking each egg against a light for a dark mass and started naming them. When the 21 days were coming to an end, the students noticed three eggs with cracks and could hear feeble peeping noises. Two hatched that night and provided quite the surprise for everyone the next morning. We noted how amazing it is that God designed these chicks to be able to survive hatching from their rigid prisons without assistance. The third egg was smaller and took awhile to hatch, and over time the egg membrane became drier and more difficult to budge. Since it was probably going to die without help, we went against the chick-hatching rules and pulled away part of the shell. Lightning, as he was dubbed, survived his difficult passage into the world and was welcomed into the heated tub in the corner of our classroom.
We continued our observations of the three chicks, learned how to provide them adequate food and water, and enjoyed watching them grow rapidly and develop feathers. Once the largest chick started attempting escapes from the tub (and succeeded a couple times), we said farewell to the chicks. It was a great experience to learn about patience, life, death, and care for God’s creatures.
In Christ,
Miss Engwall
