Tie-Dye! An Engaging Activity To Introduce Polymers and Polymerization to Beginning Chemistry Students

Abstract

A stand-alone polymer unit, centered on a tie-dye activity, was used to introduce the concept of polymers and the process of polymerization to three different groups of beginning-level chemistry students. This polymer unit consists of three parts. First, each student used a molecular model kit to construct the monomer units, β-D-glucose. Students combined these monomer units to learn the polymerization process and visualize the formation of the cellulose polymer in conjunction with writing the balanced equation for the polymerization reaction. Second, students tie-dyed cotton t-shirts made of cellulose fibers using dyes purchased from local craft stores. Finally, a primary literature exercise engaged students in understanding the chemical reactions that bind the cellulose fibers to the dye molecules permanently, producing a colorfast tie-dyed t-shirt. This stand-alone polymer unit can be used in any beginning college or high school chemistry course to introduce students to polymer chemistry and the process of polymerization. It helped review and reinforce previously learned concepts such as covalent bonding, electronegativity, bond polarity, Lewis structures, bond angles, and molecular geometry using the VSEPR model. As evidenced by the feedback collected from students anonymously after completion of the polymer unit, the three parts in this unit helped them learn the chemistry of polymers and polymerization, and their interest was kindled by the tie-dye activity. The polymer unit was a favorite of students in all three courses.

An Interdisciplinary, Project-Based Inquiry into the Chemistry and Geology of Alkaline Surface Lake Waters in the General Chemistry Laboratory

“…The administrative structure at The Evergreen State College (TESC), enabling faculty to integrate disciplines without hurdles, made it possible for this investigation to be truly interdisciplinary. Other laboratory exercises created in this environment have been published. − The value of interdisciplinary education is gaining recognition. − …”

Promovendo a Consciência Ambiental Por Meio Da Criatividade:

“…É importante ressaltar que muitas lojas comercializam camisetas "tie dye" confeccionadas industrialmente, sendo assim, a reflexão a respeito do reuso e reutilização volta a ser focada aqui. Esta técnica mostrou-se muito promissora na promoção da criatividade, trabalho em equipe e engajamento da turma, de acordo com o que já fora relatado por Bopegedera (2017). A Figura 4 mostra a confecção destas camisetas pelos estudantes.…”

Microplastics Outreach Program: A Systems-Thinking Approach To Teach High School Students about the Chemistry and Impacts of Plastics

“…Once students identified the role of chemistry in microplastic formation, chemistry model kits were used to explain the structure and polymerization of plastics from polyethylene and poly(vinyl chloride) monomers through hands-on demonstrations as has been previously done to educate about polymerization reactions in high school chemistry courses. 36 The first class ended with an explanation of the differences in chemical interactions between polymers of polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride and how these lead to the differences in material properties witnessed in plastic bags and PVC pipes (Table 2). Students were then introduced to Schrodinger's Materials Science Suite software 42 to watch a molecular dynamics simulation of amorphous solids of these two plastic polymers.…”