This activity comprises three engaging parts: a forum post, graphic and a flyer. The topic of sustainability in the textile industry is discussed during class with the conclusion that the textile industry is currently not sustainable or very environmentally friendly. I ask the students how many gallons of water are used to make one cotton t-shirt and have them guess the answer which is 700. A significant amount of water is used in the dyeing process and students are challenged to think how many resources are used to dye the products that are in their closet, on their bodies, or waiting to be purchased from the store.  

1. First, students find a textile product they are interested in purchasing and identify its fiber composition. They post their product it to an online forum with a link to the product. This gives students a chance to bring their outside interests into the classroom. 
2. Second, students explain a potential dyeing method for one fiber in the textile product, delving into the process intricacies, energy requirements, and water usage calculations. They make a graphic to explain the chemistry behind the dyeing process and try to interpret the complex topics in a easy to visualize way.
3. Finally, students are tasked with an exciting challenge: to conceive and design a never-before-seen machine that could revolutionize the sustainable dyeing process and theoretically dye the fiber more sustainably. Students make a flyer advertising this machine and include how this machine would increase the sustainability of the dyeing process versus traditionally dyeing methods currently used in the textile industry. 

This project is spread out over the course of the semester as students learn more about the different types of dye-fiber interactions, but timing could be adjusted. Students also could combine the graphic and flyer into one poster and present it! For my class this was done all out of class and online.