Dinner with a Scientist is our way of bringing together local scientists, teachers, and students to learn from each other. At the end of each school year, we plan four semi-formal events, three for elementary and one for secondary, serving a total of 1000 people. Over the course of the evening, teachers and students meet researchers, university professors, engineers, doctors, veterinarians, and even forensic scientists. Each scientist talks about their work, leads an activity, and answers questions, switching tables every 30 minutes. The events are free to invited participants with costs offset by donations and local funders.
Elementary Event (4th & 5th grade)
May 28, 2013 - Elementary, Region 1
May 29, 2013 - Elementary, Region 2
May 30, 2013
- Elementary, Region 3
Sponsored by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
Each elementary principals may select two K-5 teachers who have exemplified science teaching to participate. Each teacher may then select two 4th or 5th grade students to attend with them. If you are a teacher who is interested in attending, please contact your principal.
If you are a Principal, contact Caleb Cheung to access the nomination form. Teachers will be contacted via email after being nominated by their teacher. Deadline for Principals to register teachers is April 8.
Event Agenda (all events)
2:00 Visit Main Zoo (optional)
5:00 Registration & Live Animal Encounters
5:25
Welcome & Ice Breaker
5:50 Dinner & Conversation with Scientist #1
6:20 Keynote Speaker
6:40 Dinner & Conversation with Scientist #2
7:20 Dessert & Conversation with Scientist #3
7:50 Appreciations
8:00 Conclusion
Permission Forms, Transportation and Directions
School sites and teachers are responsible for permission forms and transportation. Here is a sample form in English and Spanish. We suggest teachers drive with their students and take them home after the event if possible. Alternatively, a parent or guardian can drop off the students and pick them up. Due to limited space, we will not be able to accommodate any parents, guardians, or other individuals at the event.
Scientists
At this time, scientist participation is limited to partner organizations. If you have received an invitation to participate as a scientist, please click here to register. The registration deadline is April 5.
If you are interested in participating, but do not belong to a partner organization, we may have space after April 5. Please contact Caleb Cheung if interested.
For assistance in planning your presentation to students and teachers, we recommend the suggestions on pages 4-9 in A Guide for Classroom Visits from TechBridge.
Below is more information about our past events.
Thank you to all the scientists who participated!
Dinner with a Scientist 2012 Snow Building, Oakland Zoo
Elementary Event (4-5),
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sponsored by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation Event Program Event pictures on Picassa by Howard Ruffner
Dinner with a Scientist 2010
Snow Building, Oakland Zoo
Secondary Event (6-12th grade)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Sponsored by the Chevron Corporation
In celebration of the Year of Science, Oakland Unified's Science Department hosted two Dinner with a Scientist events for Oakland teachers and students in 2009 at the Chabot Space and Science Center. Thank you to all participating scientists and partner organizations for contributing to this event.
Click on the links below for program information and pictures from the events.
Secondary Event
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 Sponsored by the New Teacher Center
Elementary Event
Thursday, May 28, 2009 Sponsored by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
Dinner with a Scientist is our way of bringing together local scientists, teachers, and students to learn from each other. At the end of each school year, we plan four semi-formal events, three for elementary and one for secondary, serving a total of 1000 people. Over the course of the evening, teachers and students meet researchers, university professors, engineers, doctors, veterinarians, and even forensic scientists. Each scientist talks about their work, leads an activity, and answers questions, switching tables every 30 minutes. The events are free to invited participants with costs offset by donations and local funders. 
Event Agenda (all events)
Dinner with a Scientist 2012
Dinner with a Scientist 2011
Dinner with a Scientist 2010
