Udit Agarwal

Udit Agarwal is the Founder and CEO of NextWaveSTEM, a company dedicated to enhancing STEM education for K-12 students. He established the organization in 2017 after recognizing the significant need for hands-on learning experiences in the educational landscape, particularly during his time as an IT analyst for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) .12

Background and Education

Agarwal grew up in India, where he was influenced by his family's entrepreneurial background, particularly his father's clothing business. After moving to the United States, he pursued higher education at Northern Illinois University (NIU), where he initially studied nursing before transitioning to Operations Management and Information Systems (OMIS). This shift proved pivotal, aligning with his early experiences in business .12

Career Path

Before founding NextWaveSTEM, Agarwal worked at CPS, where he gained insight into the challenges faced by students and teachers in STEM education. His subsequent role at Groupon further enriched his understanding of technology and education. These experiences fueled his desire to create an educational platform that provides comprehensive STEM curricula, including robotics, drone coding, artificial intelligence, and 3-D printing .13

NextWaveSTEM

Under Agarwal's leadership, NextWaveSTEM has expanded rapidly, transitioning from an after-school program to a provider of full curricula that includes training and support for educators. The company serves numerous schools across Illinois and is poised for growth into other states like California. Agarwal emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and aims to reduce screen time while enhancing student engagement .123

Agarwal's vision for NextWaveSTEM reflects his commitment to transforming education through innovative approaches that prepare students for future challenges in a technology-driven world .14