STEP targeted MB301 because it was taken by certain preservice teachers. The first year’s revision focused on the lecture portion of the course. As a result of that experience, Jim Cutler began rethinking his approaches to teaching, and this in turn contributed to the changes he subsequently made in MB401. Cutler’s experimentation in MB401 impacted many MB faculty and courses. For instance, Mike Franklin has incorporated student presentation of primary literature into MB420 and MB449. Franklin’s interactions with Cutler and other members of the department have contributed to his involvement in the BSI Faculty Fellows Program. Also as a result of Cutler’s innovations in MB401, Cutler has given presentations to NSF and to other campuses.

The second year’s revisions to MB301 focused on the lab portion of the course and on graduate TA training. This led directly to the publication of a lab manual written by Barbara Hudson and Linda Sherwood and to changes in MB407. These changes have impacted a number of other courses in the department including MB101 and MB331. The lab manual written by Hudson and Sherwood has been nationally recognized and they are currently recognized as leaders in the introduction of discovery- and inquiry-based learning into microbiology labs. Both have been or will be involved in American Society for Microbiology (ASM) presentations and workshops as well as local and regional outreach activities. Another important aspect of STEP’s involvement in the second year of MB301 revisions was that it supported Sherwood so that she could attend the last three annual ASM Undergraduate Microbiology Education Conferences. Hudson has also attended several of these conferences. Information gathered at the conferences has directly and indirectly impacted many courses in the department. Attendance at these conferences also led to the development of professional contacts, which contributed to Microbiology and Biology co-sponsoring and organizing a campus-wide workshop (Comin’ Alive). This workshop brought together many MSU faculty, precollege teachers, and nationally recognized experts in active learning and related topics.