Friday, July 18, 2008

Permanent Ink Science Shirts

We had one white t-shirt left after making our patriotic shirts, so I went on a mission last night and found this site full of wonderful, sciencey, projects.
I had everything needed for this project already in the house, (which makes this a perfect activity).
We needed:
permanent markers-we had Sharpies and Bic markers-they both worked fine
rubbing alcohol
medicine droppers
a bowl and rubber band to stretch the shirt taunt
pre-washed white t-shirt

Stretch the shirt over the bowl and secure with a rubber band. Use markers to make a design. We did mostly circular designs, using three colors at the most.

Use the medicine dropper to drop about twenty drops of alcohol into the center of the design. Now is the time to discuss the science concepts of solubility, color mixing, and the movement of molecules from one to another. The kids liked seeing how far they could get the colors to spread using more drops of alcohol.
After we spread out the colors, we used the blow-dryer to dry the design. I didn't want the wet marker to get onto the white shirt while we were working on another area. This shirt was easily done by Mark and Grace-on thier own. They are 8 and 6. I was just on hand to help them get the shirt adjusted on the bowl with the rubberbands.
Put the shirt in the dryer on high heat for about 15 minutes to set the ink.

Luke calls this his "crazy shirt".

8 comments:

Theresa said...

I love it!!!!

Anonymous said...

Cool!

Rhonda said...

Woah, now that is cool!

Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom) said...

What a great shirt! I think we've found a new project! Thanks!

God Bless,
Jane

Beck's Bounty said...

WOW -- we are going to make these as a Back-To-Homeschool activity. Thankyou for posting it !!

MomToCherubs
http://www.becksbounty.blogspot.com

Ladybug Mommy Maria said...

Very clever, Joann!

You're giving me great ideas!

Inna D. said...

Wow! That's awesome!
Thanks for sharing the idea!

Ladybug Mommy Maria said...

We did this art project camping last week - although we varied it since I didn't have bowls and rubberbands - but it was a hit and thanks for the idea!