Colorful Solutions: Chemical Engineering Dyes to Brighten Lives
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Galactic Polymath · Unit

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Colorful Solutions

Chemical Engineering Dyes to Brighten Lives

The Gist

Students will learn to think like chemical engineers as they delve into the dye technologies that allow us to express ourselves through colorful clothing. They will read and discuss complex texts, analyze concept maps and graphs, and develop an appreciation for indigenous (Māori) dye technology.

Driving Question(s):

How have different dye technologies been used to produce colorful clothing across cultures and over time?

Essential Question(s):

How can a career in chemical, genetic, or process engineering create opportunities to solve complex societal problems?

Hook(s):

  • Part 1 begins with a warm-up “Dye-versity Audit,” In which students will quantify the number of dyes they brought to class on their person and reflect on what they mean in terms of self-expression. The rest of Part 1 focuses on narratives designed to appeal to students’ curiosity.
  • Part 2 involves a card-based puzzle activity.
  • Part 3 puts students directly in the decision-maker position, giving them an opportunity to choose a course of action based on their own values and reasoning.
Estimated time3 x 45min classes
Grades8-12

Lesson summaries

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