GRADES 9 to 12 | 2022-2023
Challenge 3: Environmental Debate Tournament
For Individuals or Groups (2–5 students per group) — Maximum points: 300 (1 entry per school)**see point breakdown below**
YOUR CHALLENGE: Debate is about critical thinking, building confidence and developing your public speaking skills. It’s also about learning to see every issue from different points of view to better understand your own. For this challenge, students will research timely environmental issues at the local, national, and international level and increase their scientific literacy and civic awareness. Participants will debate in the British Parliamentary style. Downloadable PDF
Environmental Debate Topics 2022-2023
ENTRY SUBMISSION: Thursday, February 2, 2023
Electronically submit the following:
EVENT DATE: Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in-person at the Fairchild Garden
✓ Entry Requirements: | |
Maximum four student debaters (two teams of two) and one alternate team (two students) | |
Research given topics and actively participate in Environmental Debate Tournament | |
Students must remain for the duration of the debates to receive maximum points | |
On-time entry submission (late entries may not receive points) |
VIRTUAL STUDENT WORKSHOP: Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
For more information, please visit our Student Workshops page. PLEASE NOTE: Registration is CLOSED.
FAIRCHILD FIELD TRIP EXTENSION:
Bring your class on a virtual field trip at Fairchild. Please visit Explorer Field Trip Programs for more information.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
For more information on how your submission will be evaluated, see Challenge 3 Evaluation Sheet
300 Total Points Breakdown:
Each team will receive 75 points per student (up to 300 points for schools competing Team A and Team B)
Bonus points (25) will be awarded for alternate team (Maximum 1 team per school)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Debate format is British Parliamentary Debating.
Debate topics now posted (students should prepare for all topics) – UPDATED Nov. 19, 2022
Students will be scored in accordance to national standards for British Parliamentary debating. Following the debates, schools may request completed evaluation sheets if they would like to submit to the National Speech and Debate Association for points.
STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS:
This Challenge meets various state standards, visit Challenge 3 Benchmarks
CHALLENGE RESOURCES:
Introduction (PDF)
Randall M.’s British Parliamentary Debate Workshop Presentation (PDF)
British Parliamentary Flow Template (Excel Spreadsheet. Download to edit to your specifications)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
University of Vermont’s Debate Central: Practice Round Videos
University of Vermal: World Debate Institute
National Speech and Debate Association
Florida Civics & Debate Initiative
Florida Forensics League
Scholarships for Debaters