Jacob Foster

Jake Foster joined the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2005 and has served as the Director of Science and Technology/Engineering since 2006. In this role, Dr. Foster oversees the state’s standards and curriculum framework for science and technology/engineering, the state-funded professional development opportunities and support for districts. He is active in the implementation of the state’s Race to the Top grant, Math and Science Partnership program, and online learning grants for credit recovery and professional development. Dr. Foster is an active member of the state’s STEM planning process and is a member of the Operations Board for the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. He also serves on the Board of the Council for State Science Supervisors.

He has taught high school physical and earth sciences and served as a middle school science coach and science teacher educator. Through these roles Jake has worked to actively engage students and teachers in science learning and integrated STEM curriculum.

Outside of his work for the state Massachusetts, Dr. Foster has been a member of the writing team for the National Science Teacher Association’s Anchors project and the design team for the National Research Council’s Conceptual Framework for K–12 Science Education.Dr. Foster earned a BA with a focus in earth science from Hampshire College and an MA and PhD in Science Education from the University of Michigan.