Senior School's Dye-namic Adventures in Sustainable Style

On April 18, inspired by a workshop on eco-printing at the "Unconference of Hope and Bold Climate Action" in Hamilton, Ontario, Mr. Grier, Senior School Science teacher and Mr. Geisterfer, Outdoor Education Program Coordinator, adapted a resist dyeing technique using red cabbage and cochineal insects. Cochineal, found in South America, produces carminic acid, yielding vibrant hues when mixed with different pH solutions. Students brewed cochineal into a dye, adjusted pH levels with vinegar and soda ash, and tied organic cotton bandannas tightly before dipping them in dye. The resulting tie-dyed bandannas taught the students about pigments, pH, and cultural significance, while providing a fun hands-on learning experience with a souvenir of the experiment for the boys to take home.