Forbes holds a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and M.S. in Science Education from the University of Kansas and M.S. in Natural Resources and Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Michigan. He directs multiple externally-funded projects that involve regional, national, and international partnerships with education researchers, STEM faculty, teachers, and other stakeholders. Through these projects, Forbes pursues an active educational research program and is involved in science curriculum development, teacher professional development, and assessment design. Forbes was awarded the 2014 Early Career Research Award by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching.