The excitement in the room was palpable! Third, fourth and fifth grade students from the Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary School were involved in the first annual Dinner with the Scientists at the Bayview Opera House.

These Carver Scholars are part of an after-school STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) initiative coordinated by the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE).

After a barrage of questions from these very inquisitive students, the dinner event ended. One of the scientists, Dr. Blake Riggs, had explained earlier in the evening how he earned a BS, MS and PhD.

One of the third graders sauntered over to the geneticist who had served on the panel and asked, "When did you get your PhD?" The geneticist very gently reminded the young girl that you did not have to earn a PhD to be a scientist. The student gave her a look that said, "That might be the case, but I'm going to get one like Dr. Riggs did!" This is STEM in the Bayview. Cool, huh?