Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy (CITA) recently provided a once‑in‑a‑lifetime global learning experience for a select group of students, taking 13 students and 3 adult chaperones on a medical‑themed educational tour of Great Britain, with immersive experiences in Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England.
Passports ready and cleared for take off
This international tour was designed to expose students to the United Kingdom’s rich medical history, groundbreaking innovations, and real‑world applications of health and forensic sciences, bringing classroom learning to life on an international stage.
Soldier in Scotland; CITA Crew on the escalator; and Mascot of Scotland (Unicorn)
Exploring Edinburgh: Where History and Medicine Intersect
The journey began in Edinburgh, Scotland, where students were welcomed to a city renowned for its historical and medical significance. The group started their exploration at Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, before walking up the iconic Royal Mile. Along the way, students learned about centuries of Scottish history while observing the city’s distinctive architecture.
Students visited the National Museum of Scotland, gaining broader historical context before embarking on a medical‑themed bus tour of Edinburgh led by expert local guide Sheila. During the tour, students:
Discovered Edinburgh’s rich medical heritage
Learned about the oldest medical institution in the English‑speaking world
Explored the fascinating and sometimes unsettling history of grave robbing and its connection to medical research
Claire the tour guide from EF and CITA students simulating a surgery as if it were the 1800s
One of the most powerful experiences was a guided visit to Mary King’s Close, a network of underground streets where victims of the plague once lived. Students toured the site in small school groups, gaining insight into historical public health challenges and disease prevention.
Mary King’s Close
The group also explored Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the city, and visited the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, home to extraordinary anatomical collections that deepened students’ understanding of the evolution of medical science. For those interested, an optional Haunted Vaults tour provided a memorable look at Edinburgh’s folklore and history.
CITA Student at a cannon on top of Edinburgh Castle; View of Edinburgh Castle overlooking the city
Red phone booth in Scotland; "Good luck" bronze statue of Greyfriars Bobby; and CITA students outside of Royal palace in Scotland
London: Medicine, Forensics, and Royal History
The second part of the journey took students to London, where learning continued through walking tours and hands‑on activities. On foot, students strolled past Buckingham Palace, through one of London’s Royal Parks, and alongside the Houses of Parliament, seeing Big Ben and concluding at the London Eye.
Tower bridge; CITA students in front of Big ben and inside the London eye
A highlight of the London experience was a Forensics Workshop, where students participated in a mock criminal investigation. They practiced skills such as fingerprint analysis, crime scene assessment, and evidence evaluation, ultimately working together to solve a crime—an unforgettable hands‑on experience for aspiring medical and forensic professionals.
Statue of Mary Seacole outside of the Florence Nightingale museum; CITA students outside of the Tower of London
Students also visited the Tower of London, the city’s oldest building, where they explored its history as a fortress, castle, and royal palace and viewed the Crown Jewels.
Buckingham Palace and CITA students posing for a photo with Paddington Bear
The medical theme continued with visits to the Florence Nightingale Museum, where students learned about the founder of modern nursing and her impact on public health, and the Wellcome Collection, which explores the connections between medicine, life, and art.
Wellcome Collection
The tour concluded with a guided walk following the historical footsteps of Jack the Ripper, examining how early forensic methods evolved in one of London’s most infamous cases.
Dolly - the world’s first mammal successfully cloned from an adult somatic (body) cell
A Transformational Learning Experience
This international medical tour exemplified CITA’s commitment to innovation, global learning, and real‑world application. Students returned with a deeper understanding of medical history, forensic science, and global healthcare practices—along with memories and experiences that will inspire their future academic and career paths.
Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy is proud to provide opportunities that empower students to learn beyond the classroom and explore the world through the lens of innovation, science, and discovery.
