Carla Drake
Carla Drake
Carla Drake
Carla Drake
First Graders Witness Miracle of Life
In a remarkable fusion of education and nature, first-grade students at Oakwood Adventist Academy (OAA) recently participated in an extraordinary hands-on learning experience: incubating and hatching chickens in their classroom.
The 2023-2024 school year project, which began on March 18, 2024, saw 18 chicken eggs transform into 15 healthy chicks over a 23-day period. This unique opportunity came after the school contacted the 4H Foundation of Alabama about joining their poultry program.
“While there wasn’t a program specifically for lower grades, we were fortunate to receive eggs from a local family,” said Carla Drake, first grade teacher at OAA. “This allowed us to create our own educational experience.”
Michael Dillion, a representative from the 4H Foundation of Alabama, has been instrumental in supporting OAA students in grades K-8 with learning about farming and animals.
Throughout the incubation process, students were actively involved in caring for the eggs. They created and followed a schedule to turn the eggs three times daily, and kept journals documenting their observations and drawings.
“This hands-on experience allowed our students to witness the growth and transformation of the embryos, fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world,” said Drake.
Students participated in “candling” the eggs on March 25, a process that allows them to observe the developing embryo. This activity revealed that three of the 18 eggs showed no signs of life, providing a valuable lesson in the realities of nature.
As the hatching day approached, excitement peaked in the classroom. Between days 21 and 23, 15 chicks successfully hatched, all emerging safe and healthy.
The project has profoundly impacted the students, deepened their understanding of life sciences, and instilled a sense of wonder and responsibility. It has also aligned with the school’s mission to appreciate the intricacies of God’s creation.
“This journey has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on our young learners,” said Drake. “It has ignited their curiosity and nurtured a sense of wonder that will continue to inspire their exploration of God’s world around them.”
The success of this project may lead to similar initiatives in other grades, further enriching the hands-on learning experiences at Oakwood Adventist Academy.
South Central | March 2025
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