(
Abhi Desai
Grade 11
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
School: Pinnacle High School, Phoenix, Arizona
Nonprofit organization: LexGen
A favorite 7th grade teacher contributed to Abhi Desai’s love of civics. By high school, Abhi was disheartened to see that many fellow students showed very little interest in the role government plays in their lives. An alarming statistic caught his eye. According to the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, only 39% of Americans can pass the U.S. Citizenship Test. Abhi determined that civics education needed an overhaul. He created a nonprofit called LexGen. “Civics education needed to be fun for students and accessible to teachers; only then could it truly take hold in schools,” said Abhi. “As students ourselves, we offer a unique perspective on what should be included in civics and how it should be taught.”
Abhi and his board of directors believe that to get and keep kids engaged in civics or history education, making the learning fun as well as informative is key. Students in grades 4 through 8 are the target of LexGen’s online and in-person curriculum. Games and animated videos keep students engrossed, says Abhi. His nonprofit has expanded into 10 states and reached an estimated 5,000 students. The LexGen website encourages qualified high school students to vote and includes a voter registration link. Abhi plans to use his POCA grant to expand the digital infrastructure for his organization.
To learn more about LexGen, visit www.lexgen.org
