Counting Chickens Before They Hatch
Asha Sundararajan • January 13, 2023
Incubating Eggs and Raising Chickens
A Holistic STEM Learning Experience
At the request of our ever-curious students, LTC mentor Mr. Shashi Lewis brought in an egg incubator and arranged for 24 eggs. Students eagerly set up the incubator, carefully placing the eggs in three layers while learning to monitor the temperature and operation of the machine. For a hands-on observation, they gently cracked open the top of a single egg, using a thin plastic cover to protect it. This allowed them to observe the embryonic development up close—over the next 30 days, they could even see the heartbeat inside the egg.
As Kevin, one of the students, embraced the role of caretaker, he became affectionately known as both the “mommy” and “daddy” of the group’s chickens. Many of his classmates eagerly supported him along the way. Finally, on December 31st, after weeks of anticipation, two eggs hatched, bringing two fluffy baby chicks into the world.
Over the next three months, students diligently cared for their chickens. They designed and built a coop, brought the chickens outside daily for sunlight, and even administered eye inoculations to protect them from disease. As the chickens grew, so did the students' sense of responsibility and accomplishment. However, with the end of the term and the challenge of maintaining care over the summer, the chickens were lovingly sent to a local farm where they could continue to thrive.
Holistic Learning Outcomes
- This project offered students more than just an introduction to biology and embryology—it provided a multifaceted learning experience that combined science with personal growth:
- Hands-on Scientific Knowledge: Students learned about embryonic development, temperature regulation, and incubation. Observing the life cycle in real-time, especially witnessing a heartbeat, deepened their understanding of biology in a tangible way.
- Responsibility and Care: The students took full responsibility for their chickens, nurturing them daily and developing a deep sense of care and empathy for living creatures. This responsibility also encouraged teamwork as students collaborated to ensure their chickens were well cared for.
- Problem-Solving and Creativity: Building a functional coop challenged the students to apply STEM principles, fostering creativity in design, engineering, and practical problem-solving.
- Emotional and Social Development: The project nurtured empathy, leadership, and patience. Kevin, who took on the primary caregiver role, gained confidence and emotional maturity, while the rest of the group learned to support and cooperate in meaningful ways.
- Understanding of Ethical and Environmental Stewardship: Sending the chickens to a farm highlighted the importance of understanding our responsibilities as caretakers of animals and reinforced concepts of sustainability and ethical animal treatment.
In essence, the egg incubation and chicken-raising project provided students with an immersive learning opportunity, combining STEM knowledge with emotional and social growth.
Lastest from our desk
The Da Vinci Mirror Project, a student's journey As soon as we learned about light and its properties in class, our teacher introduced us to the Da Vinci Mirror project. We were all super excited! The challenge was to create a device that allowed us to write on paper while looking at a mirror, just like Leonardo da Vinci, who wrote in reverse because he was left-handed. We started with just a shoebox and a mirror, and I thought it would be a simple task. Boy, was I wrong! When we got started, my friends and I dove right in, but we quickly ran into problems. First, we had to figure out how to position our mirrors so that our reflections would be clear enough for us to write legibly. It was really tricky to find the right angle! We spent a lot of time brainstorming and experimenting. At first, our designs didn’t work, and we had to rethink our approach several times. Even though we faced setbacks and had to redo parts of our projects, we didn’t give up. I realized that each time we tried again, we were learning something new. Our problem-solving skills grew stronger as we figured out what worked and what didn’t. We learned to embrace challenges, and it felt amazing when, after much effort, we finally crafted functional Da Vinci mirrors! From Mr. Stephen K Nebu, our teacher This project wasn’t just about understanding light; it taught the students a lot of valuable skills. Here are some of the key takeaways I noticed along the way: Scientific Understanding: We got to apply the concepts of light and reflection in a real-world context, which made learning so much more engaging. Creativity: Designing our mirrors encouraged us to think outside the box. We tried different angles and materials to see what would give us the best results. Resilience: Whenever we faced obstacles, we learned to keep going and view them as chances to improve rather than failures. It felt great to push through! Collaboration: Working together as a team helped us communicate better. We bounced ideas off each other and supported one another when things got tough. Ownership of Learning: Taking charge of our own projects made us more invested in what we were doing. I felt proud of what we accomplished and excited to tackle future challenges! Overall, the Da Vinci Mirror project was a huge success. It not only deepened our understanding of light but also helped us grow as creative thinkers and problem solvers. I can’t wait for our next scientific adventure!
Written by Mr. Stephen Nebu and our students On October 21, 2023, the Homi Bhabha Exam took place at St. Joseph's Boys High School (SJBHS) with a total of 55 students participating. The examination commenced promptly at 3:00 PM under the supervision of Mr. Stephen K Nebu, who served as the chief incharge of the examination center. The exam, which is a prestigious platform for young minds to showcase their scientific acumen, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of students from various schools. SJBHS, known for its commitment to academic excellence, provided a conducive environment for the smooth conduct of the examination. The students, eager to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, engaged in the exam with focus and determination. The atmosphere at SJBHS was one of both concentration and excitement, reflecting the significance of the Homi Bhabha Exam in fostering scientific curiosity and understanding. It is anticipated that the results of the examination will be announced on November 30, 2023. This eagerly awaited announcement will mark the culmination of the students' efforts and the beginning of a new chapter for those who excel in the examination. The results were announced on 30th November 2023 and one student qualified for the practical examination. Master Adrith Rai and 22 students passed the examination.
A fun modification to the traditional Snakes and Ladders game
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