- This event has passed.
“Great Pumpkin” Debates (Oct. 28th)
October 28, 2023 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
$20.00
The Great Pumpkin Debates (21st Century Debate)
They are hosting a debate event… [Event Details (PDF)]. ORIENTATION VIDEO: [Video]. RESULTS PAGE: [Results].
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023 (Sunday, Oct 29th in China).
Time (US, Pacific): Saturday, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. / Time (China): Sunday, 5:00 am to 9:00 am.
This event does not require any experience, we are doing it to build our skills and to have some fun. We need judges of all experience levels, including beginners. Students can attend as an observer, a judge, or as a competitor. Anyone grades 1-12, can attend and can join the costume event. You can judge debates and compete in crossfires and/or the costume contest.
Events: “Skills” Debate (grades 1-3, 4-6, & 7-9), Public Forum Debate (grades 4-6, 7-9, & 10-12), Crossfire Champions (all grades), & Costume Event (all grades).
Divisions: Experienced and inexperienced will be divided accordingly (based on the number of entries).
Topics: Skills Debate (grades 1-9), and Public Forum (grades 3-12), will have different topics (see below).
Skills** Debate Topic: “On balance, using Self-Driving Vehicles in the U.S. is desirable“. [Research]
Public Forum Topic (NSDA*): “Increasing U.S. Militarization of the Arctic is desirable“. [Research]
*The United States federal government should substantially increase its military presence in the Arctic.
**Skills Debate: Each debater chooses a partner or will have a partner assigned to them on the day of the event. No prior experience is required. Each speaker from each team (two students per team) will present one argument (each argument must be different!). After a few minutes of preparation time, each speaker will refute one of the opposing team’s arguments. After a minute of preparation time, there will be a three-minute “crossfire” that will conclude the debate. Judges give feedback.
IMPORTANT: We would like to have debaters/judges wearing costumes (costumes are optional) and participate in a costume contest as well. We need judges for this too! 🙂
PRIZES: We will have prizes (medallions) for some of the top performances. The number of awards depends on the number of people who sign up.
For more information, please contact the tournament organizer:
Bill Eddy (billeddy@gmail.com).
COST: $20.00 per person.
Tentative Schedule (Sunday, October 29, 2023):
[All times are for China]
5:00 AM to 5:20 AM = Orientation (Video)
[Skills Debate: Self-Driving Vehicles]
5:25 AM to 5:55 AM = Skills Debate Round 1 [Round 1]
6:00 AM to 6:25 AM = Skills Debate Round 2 [Round 2]
6:30 AM to 6:55 AM = Skills Debate Round 3 [Round 3]
[Public Forum Debate: Arctic Militarization]
5:30 AM to 6:30 AM = Public Forum Round 1 [Round 1]
6:35 AM to 7:35 AM = Public Forum Round 2 [Round 2]
8:00 AM to 8:55 AM = Public Forum Round 3* [Round 3]
*Depending on the event remaining on schedule.
[‘Crossfire Only’ Event: All grades!]
7:00 AM to 8:45 AM = Crossfire Champions
[Costume Event: All grades!]
7:00 AM to 8:55 AM = Costume Contest
PLEASE REGISTER HERE