An Adopt and Adapt Workshop Chemistry grant was awarded in 1999 to a consortium of seven institutions: Miami University (Ohio), Coastal Carolina University, Goucher College, Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis, Prince George's Community College, State University of West Georgia, and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The original Workshop Chemistry approach was developed in the mid-1990's and supported as part of the NSF initiative for Systemic Changes in the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum. In the Workshop model, also known as PLTL (peer-led team learning), students in college chemistry courses meet weekly in small, stable groups with trained student leaders and collaboratively tackle challenging problems. As an integral part of the course, the workshop approach promotes a greater degree of collaborative and active learning by all the students; moreover, it recognizes team learning as a valid and important aspect of the educational process.

In 1995 a total of 2000 students in 10 institutions were participating in workshops. In 2000, 9952 students in 42 institutions were participating, including those of the consortium represented by this grant. The workshop model has been evaluated in terms of student learning, retention, and satisfaction. Each institution in our consortium has reported positive results. The model has expanded into the fields of biology, physics, and mathematics through Workshop Project Associate grants and can be adapted for an even wider array of academic disciplines.