Polygence Scholar2026
Alex Rechitsky
Class of 2028Riverwoods, Illinois
About
Hello, my name is Alex Rechitsky, and I chose this project because I was interested in understanding why young people can learn about government and civic institutions without necessarily trusting them. Through my research, I wanted to explore whether firsthand experiences with civic and legal institutions shape trust differently than traditional classroom instruction. After completing this research, I would like to continue exploring how civic education can give students more meaningful opportunities to engage directly with the institutions they learn about.Projects
- "The Impact of Instructional and Personal Civic Exposure on Institutional Trust Among Adolescents" with mentor Courtney (Sept. 13, 2026)
Project Portfolio
The Impact of Instructional and Personal Civic Exposure on Institutional Trust Among Adolescents
Started Nov. 10, 2025
Abstract or project description
This research examines how instructional civic education and firsthand civic and legal experiences influence institutional trust among adolescents. Through a comparative review of national surveys, academic research, and civic education programs, the study finds that classroom instruction primarily strengthens civic knowledge, while personal exposure is more closely associated with the processes through which young people evaluate institutional fairness and legitimacy. The findings suggest that combining traditional civic instruction with meaningful opportunities for direct participation may help students develop more informed judgments about civic and legal institutions.