More than 200 seventh- to 12th-grade students will have the chance to dine with professionals in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers at the Dinner with a Scientist event on Friday, Nov. 4 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). The annual event allows students to meet and learn from scientists, engineers, and a wide array of health professionals.

Hosted by the SJCOE STEM Department, the event begins with a table science challenge led by Dr. Joanna Albala, manager of the Science Education Program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

The groups will rotate four times throughout the night to a new table and a new volunteer professional. Groups of students and teachers will engage in conversation with four different professionals of their choice for approximately 15-20 minutes each. Each volunteer is urged to bring something from their job that the students can see, manipulate, or experience.

The students at the dinner come from eight school districts as well as from charter schools and SJCOE programs. They will be joined by approximately 40 STEM professionals and 70 teachers. The event is open to ticketholders and volunteers.

The event is supported, in part, through individuals and organizations in the community who sponsor attending schools.