Jacobs Social Entrepreneur Fellow

A.J. Calbert

Yale University

A.J.’s career began as an engineer before earning his MBA from Yale School of Management.   Whether he was teaching high school science or ensuring the allocation of $700M to public schools, his focus after Yale has been around equitable access to education in the pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade space.

Today, A.J. serves as Director of Operations at National Children’s Museum (NCM) in Washington DC. The museum is relaunching as a hybrid science center and children’s museum targeted to children from toddlers to 12 years old. While most science centers start programming at 12 years old, NCM is determined to start even younger.

Studies have shown that an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by 8th grade is an important factor in pursuing higher-paying STEM careers. So, early exposure to STEM is not just about equitable access to education but equitable access to economic opportunity as well.

A.J. is delighted to join the Jacobs Network and to contribute to the conversation around early childhood development and education.