Debate Showcase Notes

Introduction

• Post-lunch session kicks off with a Debate Showcase.
• Audience members are encouraged to participate and support their peers.

Overview of the Debate Showcase

• Two new teams of nominated speakers.
• Teams consist of four members each (increased from previous rounds).
• Multiple judges on a panel instead of a single judge.
• Audience encouraged to contribute after the debate.

Debate Motion

• Resolved: History teachers should share their opinions about the history they teach.

Teams and Speakers

Affirmative Team

1. Olivia (Speaker from Indonesia)
2. Mihail Palmov (Speaker from Bulgaria)
3. Lizzy Kim (Speaker from the USA)
4. Anika Sharma (Speaker from India)

Negative Team

1. Maria Volovojdova (Speaker from the Netherlands)
2. Apple Chang (Speaker from Hong Kong)
3. Maximilian Picard (Speaker from France)
4. Maya Tharp (Speaker from Canada)

Key Points from the Debate

Affirmative Arguments

• Diversity of Perspectives: Teachers sharing opinions fosters understanding of multiple viewpoints.
• Critical Thinking: Encourages students to think independently and critically.
• Representation: Provides a voice for marginalized communities by allowing diverse narratives.

Negative Arguments

• Bias: Concerns about teachers imparting biased views, potentially influencing impressionable students negatively.
• Historical Accuracy: Emphasis on teaching objective facts rather than subjective opinions.
• Influence on Young Students: Younger students are more impressionable and may not have critical thinking skills to discern biases.

Audience Contributions

• Mixed opinions with some supporting freedom of expression in teaching for understanding different viewpoints.
• Concerns about bias and the need for teaching objective facts instead of personal opinions.
• Examples from history where opinions could have influenced major conflicts and societal views.

Judgement

• The affirmative team was praised for their structure and passion.
• The negative team provided substantial historical examples but were advised to focus more on teamwork.

Verdict

• The affirmative team won the debate based on their arguments, structure, and engagement with the topic.

Conclusion

• The session concluded with a call for continued discussions and the importance of open discourse.
• Transition into the next event: the Scholars Show.