The Natural Science of Fabric Dyeing—Guided-Inquiry Kit

Product Details

Capture the beauty of plant colors on fabric as students explore the ancient art—and science—of dyeing. In this guided-inquiry activity, students select a variable in the dye process and design an experiment using a multi-fiber fabric to test the effect of their chosen variable. Students develop higher order thinking skills as they consider the importance of controlling variables in the design of their experiments. Variables include three different plant pigments, three possible additives and the temperature and duration of the dye bath. The beautiful and often surprising colors produced on the special multi-fiber fabric teach students about the structures of fabric and dye molecules and the types of bonding interactions between them. Students see that chemistry is truly a natural science! Includes complete instructions with reproducible student handouts, detailed background information, valuable Teacher Notes and enough fabric and chemicals for 10 groups of students to perform experiments. Additional multi-fiber test fabrics are available separately.

Complete for 30 students working in groups of three.