Time/Duration: Four, 45-minutes classes at minimum (can easily extend to take longer)
Learning Principles:
- Understand the invention process and how it relates to identifying and solving problems in the fashion industry
- Learn about the fashion industry’s impact on global carbon emissions and specifically how the use of sustainable materials, natural dyes, and green transportation could have a positive effect
- Gain knowledge and hands-on skills in materials science and chemistry, particularly with pH testing aptitude
- Learn how to hand sew
- Develop business skills by creating a mock business and distribution plan for the clothing that is created
- Acquire public presentation skills
Subject areas/Standards:
HS-ESS2-4, HS-ESS3-5, VA:Cr1.1llla, VA:Cr.1.2lla, VA:Cr.2.2la, VA:Pr4.1llla, SL.9-12.1, SL.9-12.4, SL9-12.5
Breakdown of lessons:
Class 1: Introduction to invention and intellectual property; participate in introductory invention activity; background info on fashion industry’s impact on global carbon emissions and how the industry is becoming more green
Class 2: Learn about sustainable fabrics and upcycling; create your own textile using upcycled pieces of a white shirt and “dyeing” it using natural dyes from food or plants
Class 3: Invent a clothing item with a purpose and specific user in mind using sustainable fabrics and hand-made textiles; options to use fabric glue, hand sew or sewing machine
Class 4: Devise a logo/brand for the clothing item and a business plan for distribution at a larger scale that incorporates green transportation
Materials:
