Nature of Dye

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"Nature of Dye" allows participants to create their own dyes and art while exploring how chemicals interact and how these interactions can have real-world applications. Participants predict, observe, and share what they notice as they experiment with their dye. Activity includes a facilitation guide with potential misconceptions, relevant background infosheets with cultural connections, a table sign, and an activity training video. All public-facing materials also available in Spanish.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English, Spanish

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Cochineal bugs (dried)
  • Soda ash (sodium carbonate) solution
  • Vinegar solution
  • Water
  • pH strips
  • Paper towels
  • Mini mortar and pestle
  • Tri-sectioned petri dish
  • 1-milliliter pipette
  • 6 dropper bottles
  • Waste bucket
  • Rinse beaker
  • Product and dye cards
  • 1/4-inch x 3-inch strips of uncoated watercolor paper (bookmarks)
  • Marker and labels

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Reactions
      • Acids and Bases
      • Chemistry of Life
      • Solutions

Informal Categories

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Foreign language versions of this resource:

Components that are part of this resource:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • Creative Commons: Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa), Sciencenter, 2018

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, DRL 1612482