Blast from the Past! Science Class and Tie Dye!

    Physical Science Class/Tye Die T-shirts

            As a way to end our unit on chemical bonding and as a way to celebrate our year of learning together the physical science classes created some “psychedelic-scientific” art.  We discussed the shapes of the various dye molecules and how those molecules form covalent bonds with cotton fibers.  Students then researched various tie-dye designs before creating their own.  Below is a step-by-step picture diary of the whole process.  It was a blast!

Pictures (clockwise from top left): Students soak the shirts in a pre-dye mordant and hang them to dry in the greenhouse.  Dave Henning shows students how to stencil on a design while dying.   Girls rinse out the excess dye from their clothing.  Guys proudly display their finished tie-dye products.