Student Field Trip Experience

Student visitors take in the Global Symphony while being welcomed by David J. Sencer CDC Museum director, Judy Gantt.

Length of visit: Approximately 2 hours
Group Size: 10-30 (not including chaperones)

What to Expect

The large school group field trip experience is available for groups of 10-30 sixth through twelfth graders (groups smaller than ten people are asked to visit the museum for a self-guided tour). During the field trip, students will learn about CDC’s history, CDC’s current work in preventing disease and promoting health, and detailed information about various infectious diseases. Upon arrival to the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, the group will be greeted and oriented to CDC on the Global Symphony platform. The Global Symphony is a media installation featuring four, three–minute stories that describe in depth CDC’s contributions to the elimination of polio, the investigation of Legionnaire’s disease, the battle to stem the rise of obesity in the United States, and the study of how humans, animals, and the environment interact in the spread of Ebola. Following the orientation, students will tour the exhibit area for approximately 45 minutes.

Tours include the current temporary exhibition and CDC Museum’s permanent The Story of CDC exhibit. Through the context of the history of CDC exhibit, students will learn about infectious and chronic diseases studied at CDC, the bacteria, viruses and risk behaviors that cause diseases, and prevention methods such as immunization and healthy lifestyles.

Students try on the Biosafety Level 4 lab suits.

Following the tour, students will have the opportunity to try on a Biosafety Level 4 lab suit and explore the exhibition areas independently.

Teacher Instructions: Additional information regarding parking and security will be sent in a field trip confirmation email. If you have not received a confirmation email, your tour is not on our schedule.

Prior to Visit

• Submit a reservation request. Your tour is not scheduled until you receive a confirmation email.
• Email completed “List of Attendees and Chaperones” form to museum@cdc.gov at least one week prior to tour date.
• Review museum behavior expectations [70.8 KB] with students. Students not adhering to museum behavior guidelines will be asked to return to the waiting platform for the remainder of the tour.
• Print and read the driving directions & parking instructions. Traffic can be heavy near the CDC campus, please plan accordingly.

During Visit

• Please help museum staff by being an active chaperone! Help us model proper behavior by refraining from talking or using cell phones during the tours. Food and beverages are not allowed in the museum galleries.
• Bring a camera. You may want to take pictures of your students as they try on BSL 4 suits! Please note that cameras are only allowed in the museum area; pictures may not be taken anywhere else on CDC’s campus.

After Visit

• Complete and return your tour evaluation form.