Tie Dye Science

We had a blast tie-dying shirts this week using Sharpie markers and rubbing alcohol! 

These are the materials you need for this tie-dye science project. 

First, students isolated a small section of their shirt by putting it over a cup and wrapping a rubber band around it. Then, they meticulously drew a design in the middle of this shirt section using a Sharpie marker.

Next, students drizzled some rubbing alcohol on their design using a straw.

The results were immediate! Students were excited to watch their designs morph right before their eyes.

We continued repeating these steps until students felt their shirts were complete.

We made observations and predictions and collected data as we worked.

Our finished product was a uniquely designed t-shirt! We had a great class discussion regarding the chemistry of why the ink separated, why this project worked with rubbing alcohol and why it would not work with water.