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From Uncle Sam to Civic Tech: Rebuilding Civic Engagement for Gen Z Using Design Thinking

by Samhita Krishnamurthy | at Minnebar20

For over 200 years, civic engagement and education in the U.S. have remained largely unchanged while Gen Z participation has declined. Today, more than 60% of eligible young adults do not vote, and many feel unprepared to engage in civic life.

But this is not a motivation problem; it is a design problem.

We continue to rely on messages like the Uncle Sam poster, “We want you,” without showing people what to do next or how to meaningfully get involved. And let’s be honest, most civic systems were not built with Gen Z in mind, and it shows. As a 16-year-old working in this space, I have spent the past few years researching youth civic engagement, working with communities across Minnesota, drafting legislation, and founding Spark Civics, a youth-led organization focused on building tech-enabled systems for civic participation. In this interactive session, we will explore how civic engagement can be rebuilt using design thinking and civic tech. We will apply product design, user experience, and behavioral science to create clear pathways, transforming awareness into action. I will demo a platform that guides users through personalized next steps, feedback loops, and real opportunities to engage. I’ll share lessons and insights from a Spark Civics camp where students turned ideas into real-world impact. Join this session to turn ideas into tech-powered impact and see what civic engagement looks like when it is actually designed to work.

Samhita Krishnamurthy

Samhita Krishnamurthy is a civic tech builder focused on redesigning civic engagement systems for young people by creating new tech-enabled pathways for participation. As a high school sophomore at Minnetonka High School, she works at the intersection of technology, design, and public impact to turn civic interest into meaningful action. She is the founder of Spark Civics, where she leads initiatives that combine technology, education, and mentorship to expand youth civic engagement. Through Spark Civics, she has designed and led civic innovation programs, led youth engagement efforts across Minnesota, and developed a civic tech platform that simplifies civic engagement into a one-step pathway, guiding young people from awareness to meaningful action through personalized support and real-world opportunities. Her work has been presented to state leaders, civic organizations, and youth communities across Minnesota. Samhita also serves as President of the Minnetonka Girls Who Code chapter, where she leads a team of 20+ members delivering pro bono technology solutions to local businesses. In addition, she represents District 6 on the Minnesota Youth Council, working with legislators and communities to advance youth civic engagement, including drafting legislation and statewide initiatives. Her work has been supported through partnerships such as the Global Girls Glow Youth Visionary Lab, where she secured $5,000 in funding to expand her initiatives. She has been recognized as a National Honorable Mention and Minnesota State Winner by NCWIT and received the Target TWIST Award for Computing.

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