Students in the gifted and talented program at Athens ISD get a chance to see chicken eggs hatch out each year, thanks to a grant awarded in 2011 by the Athens Public Education Foundation to GT teacher Audrey Haley.
With the funds, Haley purchased an incubator for her classroom at Central Athens Elementary. The study of life cycles are a significant component of the curriculum for science in the lower grades. Students are able to watch the process from egg to chick.
Mrs. Haley candles the eggs (shines a bright light under it) throughout the incubation process to allow her students to see the outline of what is inside.
“The students absolutely love it,” she said. “I love it as much as they do because I get to see their reactions. My room is quite popular around chicken time. I leave my door open when I’m able so that classes are able to come in and ask questions and watch the chicks.”
(Courtesy photo by Audrey Haley)