ISD Educator ‘Hatches’ Unique Educational Project

Educators in the Independence School District are using high-tech methodology to explain one of life’s most basic concepts, thanks to Laurie Pitcher and her Chicken Egg Project. Using the internet, a laptop and a video camera, elementary students in the ISD and around the world can watch chicks hatch from a first-grade classroom at Spring Branch Elementary School.

“Classrooms across the district are viewing the project and teachers have integrated it into their curriculum,” said Pitcher, literacy and technology integrationist at Spring Branch and William Southern Elementary School. And others are watching too. “Last year, the project was at Bingham Middle School and we had 15,000 visitors to the blog and in 15 minutes one morning, we had 300 hits on the website,” she said. “We had classrooms in Independence, Raytown, Blue Valley and Lee’s Summit watching our eggs.

“In the past, I used video conferencing software to share the project, but last year, I began using a webcam with its own URL. I control the camera from my laptop and when the eggs begin to hatch I’ll focus in on that egg.”

This year, Sarah Luptak’s first-grade class at Spring Branch has volunteered to care for the eggs and future chicks. It is a special educational experience, whether inside the actual classroom or out.

“This project has proven to be a great learning tool, no matter which ISD school you’re in,” Pitcher said.