Tie Dye

Tie dye was a success! First, students learned about the chemistry of it. They learned how soda ash helps to raise the pH of the cotton shirt (which is cellulose and already slightly negatively charged) to a very negatively charged item. The dye is special, as it is positively charged. After applying the dye, the shirt had to sit in a warm place to allow the covalent bonding to occur. Finally, they learned how the special detergent releases any extra molecules of dye that isn't bonded, creating a shirt that won't bleed or run in the washing machine. After learning the content, student tie dyed their own shirt to apply the science content. We will all wear our shirts at Journeys Outdoor School on our last day, Friday.