NexGen STEM, a non-profit organization founded by Green Brook’s own Jashith Gorrepati and co-founded by Rohan Patel of Hillsborough, has recently been making waves in the STEM education space. Based in Somerset County, the organization is dedicated to providing innovative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning experiences to many students. Over the last two years, NexGen STEM has not only been transforming local education through hands-on science exhibitions but has also extended its reach globally, tackling real-world issues.
One of NexGen STEM’s primary goals is to democratize STEM education, ensuring that it’s accessible to all students, regardless of background. The organization has worked closely with the Green Brook Education and Athletic Foundation (GBEAF), a local non-profit dedicated to enhancing educational and extracurricular opportunities for students in Green Brook. Together, they have hosted impactful science exhibitions for Green Brook Middle School (GBMS) students, with the aim of sparking interest and curiosity in young minds. During the 2023-2024 school year, NexGen STEM hosted two exciting STEM expos at GBMS.
In the 2024-2025 school year, NexGen STEM held a single science expo at GBMS, but it proved to be just as engaging and informative as previous events. This hands-on exhibition centered on fire suppression, where students learned about various methods to control and extinguish fires. The interactive session gave students the chance to experiment with fire suppression techniques, fostering an understanding of fire safety and science. Jashith and Rohan were inspired to educate students about wildfires because of a Future Business Leaders of America project that challenged them to tackle an emerging community problem. Even though this event was planned months ago, there seems to be no more significant, recurring issue than forest fires.
Beyond local events, NexGen STEM has also expanded its mission to include global efforts. Thanks to generous donations over the past two years, NexGen STEM has begun providing water filtration classroom kits to impoverished communities in Senegal. These kits, which were made possible by contributions from local supporters, are being used to teach students in rural Senegal about the importance of clean drinking water in a region where this resource is scarce. This global initiative underscores the organization’s commitment to using STEM knowledge to tackle pressing global challenges.
NexGen STEM continues to grow in both scope and impact, inspiring students at all levels to explore the wonders of science while also addressing critical global issues. With its strong foundation in Green Brook and expanding outreach efforts, NexGen STEM (https://www.nexgenstem.