FWCD Students Celebrate National Chemistry Week
October 21st 2022
Fabrics are woven into our everyday lives, through our clothes, our cars and even our art. But do you know the chemistry behind these incredible materials? FWCD AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry students will explore the science of textiles with sponsors and partners of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History during National Chemistry Week, October 19-22. Twenty FWCD Upper School students are joining in on the fun of this year’s theme, “Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics” as they run events at the museum on Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fort Worth Country Day is one of only four high schools volunteering at this event.
“This is such a great opportunity for the students to show off their chemistry skills to younger students,” said Mark Lichaj, Upper School Chemistry Teacher. “They will be great ambassadors for our school.”
The students will examine why we choose synthetic over natural clothing, what makes a shirt moisture-wicking, and how color chemistry can dye our clothes through three activities:
The students will examine why we choose synthetic over natural clothing, what makes a shirt moisture-wicking, and how color chemistry can dye our clothes through three activities:
- Creating rayon fibers from cotton
- Creating nylon 6, 6
- Looking at various element samples on a periodic table
Cotton, cocoons, and even coal are some of the natural resources used to make textiles. They all share a common chemistry and are made of very long molecules called polymers. These special polymers are the building blocks of fabrics and clump together to form long fibers.
Throughout National Chemistry Week, museum-goers will engage in a number of activities, including the science of spinning and weaving with West 7th Wool, analyze the chemistry of silkworms with wormspit.com, and test their textile chemistry skills with activities from student groups from:
- Hebron High School
- Texas Woman’s University
- Fort Worth Country Day
- University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Texas at Arlington
- Texas Christian University
- Trinity Valley School
- University of Dallas
- Collin College
- Birdville High School
Visit the museum’s website at fwmuseum.org/chemistry-week for the full schedule of activities and more resources. Chemistry Week activities are suited for all ages. National Chemistry Week activities end at 4 p.m. Chemistry Week 2022 is generously supported by the Alcon Foundation and the American Chemical Society.
