Tesla STEM High School student leads statewide civic education effort

A Tesla STEM High School senior is helping high school students across Washington better understand how state government works and how they can take part in the legislative process. Aanchal Batwara, senior, served as the student director of the 2026 Educational Advocacy Summit, a statewide, student-led event organized through the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL).

The two-day summit, held February 20 and 21, brought together more than 150 students from communities across Washington through a combination of in-person and virtual programming. Students who attended in person traveled to the Washington State Capitol, where they participated in guided tours, workshops and a legislative simulation that challenged them to draft and present sample bills. A virtual summit held the following day expanded access for students who could not attend in Olympia, allowing them to take part in interactive civic education sessions and live conversations with state and education leaders.

Batwara helped develop the summit after working with AWSL students to survey civic knowledge levels across Washington communities, identifying gaps in students’ understanding of government and public policy. In response, she collaborated with AWSL staff and education partners to design a hands-on learning experience focused on empowerment and access. Organized through AWSL, which partners with the Association of Washington School Principals, the Educational Advocacy Summit marked the first student-led civic education summit open to high school students statewide, highlighting the role students themselves can play in shaping meaningful educational opportunities.

Throughout the summit, students engaged with legislators, nonprofit leaders and higher education representatives to learn how policy decisions affect schools and communities. The event was designed to support students with a wide range of interests, emphasizing that civic understanding and participation are important skills for all students, regardless of future career paths.