Chemistry through tattoo inks: a multilevel approach to a practice on the rise for eliciting interest in chemical education

Within the framework of a nationwide project to boost students’ enrollment in scientific disciplines in Italy, a multilevel science project was designed with a focus on the chemistry of tattoo inks, offering immediate connection with 16−18 year-old high school students. The approach takes into account time constraints, since all sessions have a maximum span of 8 h, and the heterogeneity of the audience, made up of students without background restrictions. Tattoos are perceived as a form of body art and can be conveniently used as the “A” in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) methodology. The project involved active lectures and guided inquiry into the simple chemical concepts related to tattoo inks, addressed in practical units with multioutcome experiments and comparative instrumental analysis. The connections with correlated issues, such as norms regarding tattoo ink composition and verification, were also discussed. The efficacy of the tattoo ink Scientific Degree Plan experience was then evaluated through two types of surveys: one on the enjoyment of the plan and the other on mastery of the chemical concepts at the end of the experience.