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Boardman students observe life cycle through hatching chicks
BOARDMAN
Smudges cloud one of Market Street Elementary’s display cases.
The glass is imprinted with the shapes of tiny noses and hands.
The marks are signs of just how enthralled students are with the “Life Cycle of the Chicken” project put together by the Parent Teacher Association’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) committee.
For the past few weeks, students have observed chicken eggs incubating, and, much to their delight, hatching into chicks. Last week, at least three chicks hatched, causing traffic jams in the hallways as students stopped by at every chance to look at the feathered creatures.
This coming week likely will be an even more-exciting one, as students will be able to hold the chicks. Two more are expected to hatch in the next few days; the chicks then will go to a farm where a 4-H group will care for them.
“This year is the first they actually hatched at the school, so it’s a big deal,” said Tanna Sebrell, a PTA member who organized the project. With a background as a biologist, she set out to teach students about the various stages of a life cycle.
“They find out about the 21 days of incubation,” she said. “It’s in their curriculum for spring, so it aligns with that. And [it teaches them] just to take care of them, and learn patience.”
Sebrell started the STEM committee a few years ago, and, along with teachers and other parents, actively organizes STEM projects to supplement what students learn in their classrooms. Students, for example, are growing salsa ingredients in a hydroponic garden.
They often get assignments to go along with the STEM displays, Sebrell said.
“It keeps them excited about learning. It has them discuss at home what they learned at school,” Sebrell said of the projects. “I think it’s serious motivation.”