Meet Dr. Sheetal Karnik | Founder, Program Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Sheetal Karnik and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Sheetal, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a scientist and educator, with experience as a university professor in India, I’ve witnessed firsthand the importance of nurturing young minds in the STEM fields. Observing my daughter’s growth and her own aspirations to pursue a career in STEM, I became acutely aware of the gaps in concept understanding that often hinder students’ progression from middle school to high school in the US.

Recognizing this disparity and fueled by the desire to support students like my daughter in achieving their academic dreams, I founded New Edge Science Academy. Our mission is to bridge the divide between middle and high school education, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the rigors of higher learning. Through tailored programs designed for students from middle school onwards, we aim to empower them to secure admission into their dream universities and programs, often with the assistance of academic scholarships.

Over the years, we’ve refined our approach and developed comprehensive programs that provide guidance and support to students every step of the way including Honors, AP Prep, SAT and college counseling. From reinforcing fundamental concepts to offering specialized training, our academy is dedicated to helping students unlock their full potential and pursue their passions in STEM fields.

What should our readers know about your business?
New Edge Science Academy emerged from a passion for equipping students with a robust STEM education for successful careers in STEM. With a background spanning science, education, and patent law, my career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of innovation, whether through groundbreaking research or facilitating the patenting process for inventors. However, it was my role as a parent that illuminated a critical gap in science education within my own daughter’s curriculum regarding foundational science concepts. Moreover, I observed widespread confusion among high school students regarding course selection and college preparation. I could see the need to guide these students to navigate through this complex landscape of college admission and preparation.

Drawing from my insights into the education system, I guided my daughter through high school, resulting in her admission to multiple top-tier computer science engineering programs with a generous academic scholarship. This pivotal experience inspired the establishment of New Edge Science Academy, where we have since empowered over 2,000 students to achieve remarkable success.

Our track record speaks volumes, with alumni matriculating into Ivy League institutions, top-ranked universities, and highly competitive BSMD programs, often with full ride scholarships. Our comprehensive approach to college counseling encompasses academic planning, extracurricular engagement, and standardized test preparation, ensuring students are well-positioned for success.

Our comprehensive college counseling program assists students in crafting their high school journey, optimizing academic courses, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated interests. We provide coaching for Honors, AP, and SAT exams, equipping students with the tools to excel. As a scientist, I’ve mentored students in research, guiding them to file patents, win awards at state and international science competitions, and even launch their own companies based on their inventions.

Our summer ‘STEM camps’ for elementary and ‘Innovation camps’ for middle and high school students offer hands-on research projects, providing a taste of the invention process and intellectual property exploration. Our summer camps emphasize on fostering a culture of innovation and intellectual curiosity.

Recently, we’ve introduced our ‘Innovation in a Box’ product line, offering curated research projects and hands-on experiments packaged in convenient kits for elementary and middle school students. Each box contains comprehensive resources, including background information on scientific concepts, detailed procedural instructions, accompanying worksheets, and all necessary materials for conducting the experiments.

Following a successful pilot program at a Montessori school, where we received overwhelmingly positive feedback, we’re excited to expand the availability of ‘Innovation in a Box’ to other educational settings. Our goal is to make these engaging and educational resources accessible to a wider audience, including school districts, charter and private schools, as well as homeschooling parents.

To be honest, the road to establishing our academy was not without its challenges. As a newcomer to the K-12 education sphere, I embarked on a steep learning curve to grasp the intricacies of the US education system and identify areas for improvement. Collaborating with educators, professors, and high school counselors, I meticulously developed our curriculum and teaching methodology to make science engaging and impactful. Over the course of 2-3 years, our program offerings expanded, informed by insights from business mentors and experts across various fields. Through strategic partnerships and a tireless dedication to excellence, our program offerings evolved, reflecting a synthesis of best practices from academia and industry.

Today, witnessing the achievements of our students fills me with immense pride and satisfaction. My journey has been one of continuous learning, absorbing wisdom from diverse sources and strategically implementing it to shape state-of-the-art educational programs. As a humble contributor to our students’ success stories, I am honored to have played a part in their remarkable achievements and to have contributed to shaping the future generation.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Nature has always held a profound allure for me, particularly the lush greenery and serene water bodies that evoke a sense of tranquility and rejuvenation. Having grown up in a tropical environment, this connection to nature runs deep within me. It’s this deep-rooted affinity that drew me to Coastal Oregon, a place that has become a sanctuary for my soul.

For our 25th anniversary, my partner and I embarked on a weeklong journey to Coastal Oregon, immersing ourselves in its natural wonders and charming communities. From sun-kissed days lounging on pristine beaches to rainy afternoons exploring quaint coastal towns and savoring local culinary delights, every moment was a testament to the region’s enchanting allure.

But it was the morning hikes amidst the majestic mountains that truly captured my heart. Each ascent offered breathtaking vistas that seemed to stretch to the horizon, reminding me of the boundless beauty of the natural world. And for seafood enthusiasts like myself, the local dining scene was a culinary delight, with flavors that danced on the palate and left an indelible mark on my memory.

Banff National Park, with its mesmerizing lakes and awe-inspiring trails, stands as another cherished destination in my outdoor adventures. The beauty of its azure waters and the ever-changing landscapes along the hiking routes left an indelible impression on my soul, reinforcing my belief that the journey is just as significant as the destination itself.

Closer to home, Sedona and Payson in Arizona hold a special place in my heart. Their quaint charm and marvelous hiking trails offer a different yet equally enchanting experience, reminding me that the beauty of nature knows no bounds.

In every adventure, I’ve come to realize that it’s not just about reaching a destination; it’s about the entire journey and the experiences that shape it. Whether it’s the rugged coastline of Oregon, the pristine wilderness of Banff, or the tranquil landscapes of Arizona, each encounter with nature leaves an indelible mark on my soul, reaffirming my deep-seated connection to the natural world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to have a multitude of supporters and cheerleaders who have been instrumental in shaping my passion into the reality of New Edge Science Academy. Foremost among them is my family, particularly my husband and daughters, whose unwavering support has been a constant source of strength and motivation.

In addition to my family, I’ve been fortunate to have the guidance and support of individuals who have played pivotal roles in my personal and professional development. My life coach, Ruchi Kalra of Ruchi Kalra Coaching, has been instrumental in helping me navigate the challenges of balancing my entrepreneurial pursuits with maintaining a fulfilling personal life.

Moreover, I’ve been fortunate to have the mentorship of seasoned business professionals such as John Modi of Maker Flo LLC and Tom Dougherty of Action Coach, whose expertise has been invaluable in guiding me through the intricacies of starting and successfully implementing systems within my business.

Finally, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my friends Soumil Patel, Vandana Dhingra, and Samarth Pathak, who have served as invaluable enablers throughout my journey. Their encouragement and belief in my vision have fueled my determination to overcome obstacles and achieve success with New Edge Science Academy.

Website: www.newedgescience.com

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