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GRADES 9 to 12 | 2024-2025

Challenge 4: Environmental Debate Tournament

Debate Topics
Recording of Student Debate Workshop
REGISTRATION OPENING ON January 7, 2025

YOUR CHALLENGE:

This year’s challenge focuses on the critical issue of heat mitigation. You’ll delve into potential solutions on a local, national, and international scale. As you research these topics, consider the issue from different perspectives, both for and against various heat mitigation strategies. Through our Environmental Debate Tournament, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking skills by analyzing these diverse viewpoints. The tournament also provides a platform to develop your confidence and public speaking skills as you present your arguments. Download PDF for this info on one page

✓  Submission Requirements:
 At least one team of two students participates in the Debate tournament event at Fairchild on February 19, 2025 (points are accrued based on how many students participate and their placement).
 Maximum four student debaters (two teams of two) and one optional alternate team (two students) can participate in the Debate tournament event. Other students may attend as spectators.
 Students and teachers must remain for the duration of the debate to receive points.
 Registration form (to be posted in January 2025) due on February 7, 2025.
 Optional Virtual Student Workshop – click here to watch the recording
 On-time debate registration. Late registrations must be okayed by the Challenge team.

CHALLENGE RESOURCES:

Important Dates

Register debate teams by: 
Friday, February 7, 2025

**5 BONUS Challenge Points for teams that complete registration by February 7, 2024


Debate Tournament Event at Fairchild: 
Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Maximum Number of Participants

Point System

Up to 6 total debaters

2 main debate teams (2 students per team)

 

1 alternate debate team (2 students on alternate team)

Up to 200 points for two teams participating in Round 1 and Round 2 debate rounds
(50/student)

20 Bonus points to team(s) that advance to semifinals

Bonus points to team(s) that advance to finals (number depends on final placement-see below)

1st place overall = 5pts

2nd place overall = 4pts

3rd place overall = 3pts

4th place overall = 2pts

25 Bonus points
(alternate team participation)

Evaluation Criteria 
COMING SOON!

Fairchild City in a Garden Standards

Heat Mitigation

This Challenge Meets these Standards of the
Green Schools Recognition Program

  • Category 1 (School Grounds Enhancement), Indicator B: Habitat Improvement

  • Category 4 (Curriculum Integration), Indicator A: Interdisciplinary Approach

  • Category 4 (Curriculum Integration), Indicator C: Field Experiences

  • Category 5 (Community Involvement), Indicator: Community Partnerships in School Activities

  • Category 5 (Community Involvement), Indicator: Community Partnerships in School Activities

Challenge 4: Environmental Debate Tournament

For Teams — Maximum points: 225 (4 student debaters in two teams of two; 50 points per student and one alternate team of two students; 25 points for team)

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. Download PDF

EVENT DATE: Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm *Student debaters must arrive by 8:30 am*

**CLICK HERE FOR THIS YEAR’S DEBATE TOPICS!**

 LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR DEBATE: Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 5 pm. **REGISTER HERE!**

✓  Entry Requirements:
 Maximum four student debaters (two teams of two) and one alternate team (two students). Other students may attend as spectators.
 Students and teachers must remain for the duration of the debate to receive points.
  Registration using the google form link above.

OPTIONAL STUDENT WORKSHOP: Saturday, November 4th, at 10:00 am on ZOOM.
This one-day, virtual workshop will familiarize participants with all aspects of British Parliamentary Debate. Students will be able to learn about the rules and procedures, research and argument construction, and end with a practice round to give all students a chance to receive constructive feedback from debate coaches. 
Visit the student workshops webpage for more information and to register. Click here to register.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

For more information on how debaters will be evaluated, see Challenge 4 Rubric.

STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS: 
Visit Challenge 4 Lesson Planning Guide for ideas on how to implement this challenge in your classroom.

CHALLENGE RESOURCES: