Did you know that more than two thirds of Australians believe that hormones are added to chicken or that chickens are genetically modified to make them grow fatter and plumper than they were 20 years ago? Not true!

This is one of the myths the Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF) addresses in its educational DVD for school children called From Hatchery to Home, an initiative to further educate students and teachers alike on important facts about where their food comes from.

Teachers are encouraged to get involved in the 2008 Bust a Myth or Highlight a Fact competition, open now until October 20, with winners announced December 8.

Following on from the successful launch of the From Hatchery to Home DVD and Poster Competition in 2007, ACMF is extending a challenge to schools across Australia to participate in a NEW competition, to learn more about the industry and also to gain a chance to win great prizes.

This year’s competition encourages students to bust a myth or highlight a fact from the DVD.

Participating students are encouraged to channel their creative side and embrace technology by submitting their work in a digital format.

State winners will receive one of 12 Technology Gift Vouchers for their school valued at $500, plus twelve lucky students will receive their very own MP3 players.

In addition, winning schools will receive a hardcover book for their school library - The Story of Chicken from The

Kondinin Group Workboot Series.

The Story of Chicken is a valuable resource taking students onto Australian meat chicken farms where they can read about how chickens are raised, processed and delivered fresh to butchers and supermarkets.

To enter, students must review the From Hatchery to Home DVD, then bust a myth or highlight a fact from the video.

Every primary and secondary school received a free copy of the educational DVD in 2007.

Comprehensive support materials and lesson plans are available on the ACMF website.