Active learning methods encourage instructors to engage students by asking questions and fostering student-questioning. Instructor behavior significantly influences student participation, with positive feedback enhancing feelings of autonomy, while necessary constructive feedback can sometimes hinder motivation. To address this, we propose creating a classroom environment that normalizes fears of being incorrect or asking basic questions through the game 'Stump the Chump.' In this activity, student groups choose a topic, develop a series of questions with varying difficulty levels, and anticipate incorrect, partially correct, and correct answers using a structured worksheet. The instructor then intentionally provides an incorrect answer, prompting group discussions and peer questioning to find the correct answer collaboratively. This method builds 'grit' and resilience, encouraging student participation and fostering a supportive learning atmosphere. 'Stump the Chump' aims to enhance engagement, promote collaborative learning, while normalizing the scientific process of receiving feedback and reassessing conclusions in undergraduate microbiology education.
