Science Tuxedo Resources

Turn your students into scientists they’re proud to be. The Science Tuxedo is a wearable project that lets students create a personalized “lab coat” while reinforcing key science concepts all year long.

Shop the Science Tuxedo Project

Student wearing a completed Science Tuxedo lab apron

Why Teachers Love It

Students stay engaged because they care about the final product
Concepts stick through visual, hands-on learning
Meaningful, creative, and classroom-ready — not busy work

Use It Your Way

Start of Year: Introduce lab safety with a design students can wear on lab days
Mid-Year Review: Reinforce key concepts before tests
End of Year Project: Let students showcase what they learned
Build it over time by adding to the tuxedo throughout the year as learning grows

Teacher Downloads

Everything you need to plan and implement the Science Tuxedo project.

Science Tuxedo Plan Sheet

Student planning sheet for the Science Tuxedo project.

View / Download

Teacher Directions

Consider creating and wearing your own Science Tuxedo in class before students begin — think of it as a “wearable anchor chart” for the concepts you teach throughout the year. Students will be excited when they find out they get to make their own!

1. Early Prep

Decide beforehand whether students will create a shirt or apron. Aprons are recommended if you want students to have a lab apron to wear on lab days. Shirts work well as an end-of-year review when you want to celebrate what students have learned.

Gather fabric markers and paint from Walmart, a hobby store, or ScienceWear. Review the parent letter and edit it before printing copies for the class.

2. Ordering

Start the ordering process early, especially if your school requires a Purchase Order. You don’t need exact sizes or final quantities to request a quote and begin the PO process.

How to Order & Purchase Orders →

3. Final Prep

While the order is being processed, review the supply list and gather materials. Contact us if you need assistance with science clipart.

Part I: Creating the Science Tuxedo Shirt or Apron

This project can be completed in two to three 45-minute classes, or stretched out over the year as a running review.

Supplies

ScienceWear Science Tuxedo apron or T-shirt
Extra-fine or fine black Sharpie marker (1 per student)
Large butcher paper, poster board, cardboard, or foam board (1 per student)

Jumbo paper clips or bulldog clips (4 per student)
Fabric markers (1 set per group)
Science clipart images

Step 1: Prepare the Garment

Distribute garments. Have students place a folded sheet of butcher paper or board under the fabric to prevent marker bleed-through, and secure with clips. For T-shirts, insert a half-sheet of foam board inside the shirt, smooth the fabric taut, and clip securely. Dollar Tree foam boards cut in half work great and can be reused!

Step 2: Name Tag and Clipart

Have students neatly write or trace their name with a Sharpie in the name tag area. Provide science clipart images of concepts you have taught (or will teach) for students to select and trace onto their garment. Students can also search and print their own clipart. Images are easily traced by placing them under the fabric and tracing with a fabric marker.

Step 3: Heat Set the Marker

Method 1 (recommended): Set iron to cotton. Cover the design area with a tea towel or pillowcase. Iron back and forth for 4 minutes. Students as young as 5th grade can do their own heat setting as part of science safety lessons — 3–4 ironing stations work well.

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

If you are not using paint, the project is complete after heat setting.

Optional Enrichment: Add Iridescent Fabric Paint

Adding iridescent glitter fabric paint is optional but highly recommended! This is done after heat setting — no additional heat setting is required.

Supplies

Completed project (shirt or apron)
Board/paper setup from Part I
Clips from Part I

Cotton swabs or paint brushes (1 per student)
1 oz. condiment cup or foil square for paint (1 per student)
Iridescent/diamond glitter fabric paint

Have students set up their project as in Part I. Provide each student with a small amount of glitter paint. Using cotton swabs or paint brushes, students dab paint over the areas they want to sparkle. The iridescent paint dries clear and quickly.

Teacher Tips for Paint

Control paint quantity to avoid waste — provide a small amount at a time.
Cotton swabs can be discarded after use; brushes can be washed in soapy water.
Let condiment cups dry fully before stacking and storing.
Plan ahead for drying space — do not stack painted projects!

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.

Making the Project Accessible

ScienceWear projects have been successfully used in schools serving students from a wide range of economic backgrounds. 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.