Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) is one of the pilot schools involved in the Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative (CCURI) which is responding to the call for reform of undergraduate science education. The major tenet of this initiative is to engage students early in their course of study by embedding undergraduate research into the curriculum. At DTCC this is accomplished by incorporating research-based laboratories, case studies, and problem-based learning activities in the microbiology and biotechnology classrooms. In the microbiology course, a custom in-house laboratory manual with accompanying technique Power-Points and pre-lab quizzes was developed with a focus on culture-dependent analysis of microbial communities in soil. Several case studies, problem-based learning, and primary literature activities related to the research were used throughout the semester. As part of the integrated research project, students in a linked biotechnology course furthered the soil microbe research by analyzing the same soil samples in a culture-independent analysis. In addition, students were provided with the opportunity to continue research by enrolling in DTCC research courses in the academic school year and summer which also connects students with the scientists at local universities. To collate the student-generated data, DTCC Computer and Information Science students are developing a database for use by microbiology students to develop hypotheses and query the relationships between soil conditions and microbial communities. Our hypothesis is that students who are participating in research-based classroom activities will be more engaged and have improved critical thinking skills. In Spring 2011, the use of the CAT instrument developed by Tennessee Tech University was piloted in a small study (N = 16) to measure gains in critical thinking. The instrument was administered at the beginning and end of the semester to a microbiology class. The CAT total score increased from 17.13 to 19.44 with significant gains made in 3 out of 15 skills assessed (p < 0.05). The CAT instrument is being used to monitor gains in critical thinking skills as students move through their program of study and engage in undergraduate research.ASM Curriculum Guideline Concept(s):Impact of microorganisms, Advancing STEM education and research
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