Site Explorations

BioQuest's Site Explorations, specialized half-day job shadows for an entire class of high school students, are the ideal way to illuminate the connection between classroom course work and rewarding, 21st century global health careers. During the school day, a class of up to 32 high school students visit Seattle BioMed for an introduction to global health, engage in a biosafety overview, partake in tours of our research laboratories, converse with Seattle BioMed scientists; and best of all, complete their day with a hands-on laboratory investigation in the BioQuest Discovery Lab.

Please read the FAQs below and contact the BioQuest Director at theresa.britschgi@seattlebiomed.org if you would like to learn more about the means by which you and your students may visit the largest research institute in the country solely dedicated to infectious disease research during the 2010-2011 school year.

Site Exploration FAQs & Answers:

Q.  Are Seattle BioMed Site Explorations restricted to high school audiences?

A. Yes. Due to a variety of reasons, including capacity and State safety laws, BioQuest is a program solely for high school classes. 

Q.  Talk to me about scheduling.

A. Seattle BioMed will host 3-4 schools per month over the 2010-11 school year.  Site Explorations occur only on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and take place between the hours of 10 to 1 (three hours).

Q. What are class size limitations on Site Explorations.

A.  Please consider alternative visit destinations if you cannot organize at least ten students to attend the Site Exploration.  Additionally, the Discovery Lab can only hold 32 students, so please  limit your roster to 32 students.

Q. Do I need to bring a chaperone?

A. Yes. All tours need to bring at least two adult chaperones.

Q. How will I get to Seattle BioMed.

A. Seattle BioMed does not provide bus parking but visiting schools will receive a map of the local pay parking lots.  Additionally, a variety of bus lines serve the South Lake Union Area within which the Institute operates (click here for our location). Seattle BioMed supports the instructional and vocational advancement of a mosaic of schools.  Please contact our school to learn more about how BioQuest donors can provide 2010-11 field trip sponsorship for those schools with diverse student populations.

Q.  How will my students eat?

A. Seattle BioMed provides a 20 minute meal/snack break at half way through the tour.  With generous support of our donors, we are able to provide bottled water and snack bars to augment the foods that students tote to the Site Exploration from home.