Eggciting day for pupils (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Eggciting day for pupils

2:44pm Friday 16th February 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Children at St Andrew's School in Blunsdon enjoyed a hands-on approach to science this week.

As part of learning about life cycles the pupils have had the chance to care for 10 chicks.

The idea came from a leaflet the headteacher, Jane Wheatley, received from Living Egg.

The school was offered 10 eggs to keep for two weeks.

The baby chicks hatched last Wednesday.

"It was fantastic, the children were full of awe and wonder," said Jane.

advertisement "The chicks chip away at the egg just like cutting the top off a boiled egg.

"In two days they were dry and fluffy and now they even have their wings."

The chicks are living in an incubator in one of the school corridors and all 210 pupils have had a chance to see them.

Jane said that it would be something they would consider doing again.

"The children were able to get a much better understanding of life cycles as well as learning about how to care for the animals and handle them gently," she said.

"The children will be very sad to see them go."

The baby chicks will be leaving today for their new home at a local free-range farm.