Student Debate Series - NEW for 2020-21

Borrowing off both the success of the Council’s first ever virtual Summer Global Leadership Seminar for high school students and the Council’s Great Debates legacy podium speaker series, we will be offering a new virtual debate series for member high schools students. In response to a timely debate prompt, students will be divided and assigned to one of two groups (affirmative or negative) and will hone their research, writing, strategic thinking, and public speaking skills in the form of a virtual debate with their peers.  The Council will provide accompanying topic and group-specific resources for students to review prior to the virtual debate.  A panel of judges will utilize a detailed rubric to choose a winning side and students will have the opportunity to earn individual awards based on their debate participation and performance.

The first debate will center on isolationist vs. internationalist tendencies due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Students will be assigned to either of debate teams, and will partner with students from other schools to develop coherent arguments based on comprehensive research and study. Multiple students will be asked to speak during the program, however, a speaking role is not mandatory for participation in this program.