Atomic Attire Resources

Design a wearable model of an element — including its properties, uses, and either a Bohr or Rutherford atomic model. Students research their element, create a plan sheet, and illustrate their findings on a ScienceWear T-shirt or apron.

Shop the Atomic Attire Project

Completed Atomic Attire element apron

Teacher Downloads

Use these resources to plan, introduce, and complete the Atomic Attire project.

Plan Sheet — Rutherford Model

Student planning and research sheet for the Rutherford atomic model version.

Download PDF

Plan Sheet — Bohr Model

Student planning and research sheet for the Bohr atomic model version.

Download PDF

The Atoms Family Song

A fun classroom song to reinforce atomic structure concepts.

Download PDF

How to Launch Atomic Attire in Your Classroom

This short walkthrough video gives an overview of how to prep materials, introduce the project to students, and guide them through completion. Great for first-time users or quick refreshers!

Atomic Attire in Your Classroom

Teacher Directions

Consider having students begin this project after confirming they can interpret information on a periodic table. Provide each student with the Atomic Attire plan sheet and show the how-to video. You can generate even more excitement by wearing your own element shirt or apron as a “wearable anchor chart” as you go over the expectations.

Part I: Researching an Element

Recommended: two class periods with student access to a computer or laptop.

Cut a periodic table into individual element squares and place them in a bowl.
Provide each student with a plan sheet and have them draw two element squares from the bowl.
Students visit a virtual periodic table and read about their two choices, then select one element to research.
The unchosen element is returned to the bowl.
Students complete the plan sheet and find simple clipart to illustrate their element’s history, properties, and uses. Clipart is printed and attached to the plan sheet.
Plan sheets and proposed illustrations are submitted to the teacher for grading and final approval.

Part II: Creating the Atomic Attire Shirt or Apron

Recommended: two 45-minute class periods.

Supplies

Completed Atomic Attire plan sheet
ScienceWear Atomic Attire apron or T-shirt
Extra-fine or fine black Sharpie marker
Large butcher paper, poster board, cardboard, or foam board

Jumbo paper clips or bulldog clips (4 per student)
Fabric markers (1 set per group)
Optional: iridescent fabric paint, cotton swabs, small condiment cups or foil

Step 1: Prepare the Garment

Return completed plan sheets to students for reference. Have students write their full name with a Sharpie in a designated area (inside bottom seam for shirts; bottom right corner for aprons).

Place folded butcher paper or poster board under the fabric to prevent bleed-through, and secure with clips. For T-shirts, insert a half-sheet of foam board inside the shirt and smooth the fabric taut over it before clipping — this makes labeling and coloring much easier.

Step 2: Transfer and Color

Students use a Sharpie to carefully copy information from their plan sheet onto the fabric. Clipart is placed under the fabric and traced. Fabric markers are used to color the illustrations.

Step 3: Heat Set the Design

Once labeling and coloring are complete, remove the paper and clips. Each project must be heat set to permanently bond the marker to the fabric and prevent fading.

Method 1 (recommended): Set an iron to cotton. Place a tea towel or pillowcase over the designed area. Iron using a back-and-forth motion for 4 minutes. Students as young as grade 5 can do this as part of science safety skill-building.

Method 2: Place the project in a clothes dryer on the hottest setting for 30 minutes.

Optional Enrichment: Add Iridescent Fabric Paint

Provide each student with a cotton swab and a small amount of iridescent diamond glitter paint on a piece of foil. Students can dab paint over stars, radioactive symbols, electrons, or flames for a sparkle effect. The paint dries clear and quickly.

Teacher tip: Control the amount of paint each student receives to avoid glitter frenzy!

Washing and Care

Color may bleed during the first wash. Wash the garment separately in cold water and machine dry promptly as soon as the wash cycle completes.

A Note on Low-SES Classrooms

This project has been successfully used in school districts with a high percentage of socio-economically disadvantaged students. Collecting for the price of the T-shirt or apron has been met with minimal resistance — parents appreciate that all materials are included, and students are genuinely excited about a project they get to keep and wear.

🎉 Take It Further: Host an Atomic Attire Fashion Show!

Let students invite parents, teachers, and guests to celebrate their work with a runway event.

Setup Tips

Use red bulletin board paper to create a runway — draw atoms at the pose spots
Assign a student or teacher as Master of Ceremonies to introduce each model and element
Have models line up and walk the runway one at a time
Designate a paparazzi area for photographers and videographers
Encourage students to strike a pose and show off their wearable science!

You can rotate MCs, involve parents, or invite other classes. It’s a fantastic end-of-unit celebration or family night activity.

Sample Fashion Show