MICROBE-OPOLY: exploring the microbial world through associations.

This commentary describes the creation of a microbiology-themed Monopoly™ gameboard assignment for studying microbial diversity. Students worked in groups to redesign the standard Monopoly™ playing tokens, currency, action cards, properties, and special spaces for any microbial-themed topic using a provided template. A postassignment anonymous survey found that the students enjoyed this assignment and the opportunity to share their knowledge in a unique and creative format. While this assignment is especially amenable to microbiology due the large diversity seen in the microbial world, it could easily be adapted to other topics such as genetics, chemistry, or even math, where categorical associations or patterns are prevalent.