Students conducting microbiology research learn to cultivate, observe, and differentiate microorganisms using the scientific process, whereas typical lab-based courses train these skills through manufactured activities. Through a new Environment Microbiology course, a lab was developed to teach both foundational techniques and the scientific method through student-designed research. In this pilot semester, a created structured framework centered on food microbiology to ensure necessary skill-development and student agency in choosing specific research questions. But there is flexibility in the lab framework to allow each semester to focus on additional areas of environmental microbiology. Students worked communally through class discussions on a common goal to create an environment of collaboration, while designing and conducting research in smaller groups allowing ownership of their learning. Areas to ‘brew’ for future semester include evaluating both student assessments and summative assessment tools to determine how this lab design affects student attitudes and confidence in science.
