Burn tests are one method used to identify fiber content of fabric. Throughout this lesson, students will work in groups to learn about burn tests and conduct a lab where they complete burn tests to identify fibers. This lesson is designed to take one 50-minute class period, but could be drawn out to take two 50-minute class periods. To grade this assignment, I like to use their justifications for why they think it was a certain fiber, instead of just assessing if they selected the right fiber for the sample.  Consider teaching the following lessons alongside Burn Tests. Each of these have a textile science focus. Microscopy Fiber ID Lab - https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/106763Solubility Fiber ID Lab - https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/106762

Throughout this lesson, the students will learn about the history of weaving and the different types of fabric weaves. This is designed to take one 50-minute class period, but it may take 2 class periods for the students to complete all of their sample weaves. 

Ice-Dying is a twist on the classic tie-dye of the mid-1960s. In this lab, students will be combining the tie-dyeing techniques with the properties of slow melting ice. As the ice melts, the melted water carries the dye into the fabric, distributing the colors.  This is ideally a 3-period lab (52-minute classes). Day 1 consists of instructions, a teacher demo, and planning. Day 2 is when the students get to tie, dye, and prep their designs. Day 3 students get to rinse out their fabric and wash it.

Microscopy tests are one method used to identify fiber content of fabric. Throughout this lesson, students will work in groups to learn about microscopy tests and conduct a lab where they complete these tests to identify fibers. This lesson is designed to take one 50-minute class period, but could be drawn out to take two 50-minute class periods. To grade this assignment, I like to use their justifications for why they think it was a certain fiber, instead of just assessing if they selected the right fiber for the sample. 

Solubility tests are one method used to identify fiber content of fabric. Throughout this lesson, students will work in groups to learn about solubility tests and conduct a lab where they complete solubility tests to identify fibers. This lesson is designed to take one 50-minute class period. To grade this assignment, I like to use their justifications for why they think it was a certain fiber, instead of just assessing if they selected the right fiber for the sample.  For this lab, you can either conduct the tests as a class and have all of the students observe one set of samples OR you can have groups of students conduct the experiments. It just depends on the size of your class and the volume of supplies, swatches, chemicals, and jars you have available. 

This documentary is an excellent resource to use at the beginning of a textiles unit in middle school or a textile sciences unit in high school. It showcases careers that are available in the textile industry as well as current science that is being researched. The examples are relatable for students, yet push the boundaries on conceptualizing the future of the textile industry.