Elementary teachers want more hands-on, standards-aligned science experiences, but classrooms often lack the specialized equipment and curriculum needed to teach life science in an engaging, practical way.
By expanding a proven, teacher-requested program — and maintaining delivery even during supply disruptions — 4-H in Lane County strengthens school-community partnerships and helps more students develop the foundational science literacy that local communities and employers rely on.
4-H is the largest out-of-school youth program in the United States and the only nationwide youth organization administered through land grant universities. In Oregon, 4-H is affiliated with Oregon State University. 4-H Youth Development is a program of the Oregon State University Extension Service that serves nearly 25,000 youths across the state.
The 4-H Embryology program in Lane County is partnering with teachers and other educators to provide curriculum, hatching eggs, incubators, candlers and brooders so students can observe embryo development and participate in hatching.
4-H runs the embryology program from February through June, with each classroom experience lasting about 24 days. In 2024 and 2025, 4-H staff delivered supplies to classrooms, provided lessons and candling demonstrations, and picked up equipment at the end of each program. Teachers commonly integrated the program into broader classroom instruction through additional science lessons and related activities.
Under the leadership of Kate Hammarback, then the 4-H educational program assistant, the program scaled up in response to demand:
- 2024: 17 classroom programs in six schools, reaching 394 elementary students — up from four programs and 135 students in 2023.
- 2025: 21 classroom programs, reaching 548 students — an increase of four classrooms and 154 students over 2024.
In 2025, 4-H staff navigated new constraints tied to avian influenza concerns, including limited egg availability on specific dates and in limited quantities. Using newly purchased equipment through a grant from the Oregon Farm to School Program — and with flexibility from partner teachers — 4-H in Lane County delivered the program to every classroom that had already signed up, even when additional late requests could not be accommodated.
The program delivered direct, in-class science learning across multiple school districts and elementary schools, including Laurel, Springfield, Fern Ridge and Bethel in 2024, and Applegate, Elmira, Veneta, Thurston, Village School, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion, Meadow View, Danebo and Siuslaw in 2025.
Evaluation data from 2024 showed strong value:
- All 12 participating leachers who completed end-of-program surveys said the program was valuable to them and their class.
- 10 of the 12 teachers reported teaching additional embryology-related lessons beyond the 4-H content.
- 10 of the 12 teachers said they would participate again.
Teachers also reported high satisfaction with the program’s structure and delivery, noting that the experience “brings science to life,” supports student engagement and works well because 4-H staff “makes this such a breeze” by providing materials and clear instruction.
“This program is one of the highlights of the year for me,” One teacher wrote. “Hatch day is full of so much anticipation and joy. I love that my students have always been the ones to adopt the chicks and that we get to follow their journey even after they leave our classroom.”
Another teacher wrote, “The best part was the hands-on aspect of the experience. The kids had a great time and were so excited during the process.”
When students experience science as something they can observe, question and understand, they build knowledge and confidence that supports long-term academic success and future workforce readiness.
By expanding a proven, teacher-requested program — and maintaining delivery even during supply disruptions — 4-H in Lane County strengthens school-community partnerships and helps more students develop the foundational science literacy that local communities and employers rely on.
