Great Pumpkin Debates (Oct 2023)

21st Century Debate Online Event (All Grades)

We are hosting a “skills” debate event… [Event Invitation/Details (PDF)]. [RESULTS]
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023 (US, Eastern & Pacific).
Time (Eastern): Saturday, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Time (Pacific): Saturday, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

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.

Skills debaters will use the following topic: “Self-Driving Vehicles in the U.S. are desirable“. [Research]
Public Forum Topic (NSDA*): “Increased 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.

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).

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@21stcenturydebate.org).

COST: $20.00 per person.

Tentative Schedule (Saturday, October 28, 2023):
[All times are for US, Eastern]
5:00 PM to 5:15 PM = Orientation [Orientation (All)] & [Judge Training].
[Skills Debate: Self-Driving Vehicles (SKILLS BALLOT)].
5:25 PM to 5:55 PM = Skills Debate Round 1 [Posting: Round 1].
6:00 PM to 6:25 PM = Skills Debate Round 2 [Posting: Round 2].
6:30 PM to 6:55 PM = Skills Debate Round 3 [Posting: Round 3].
[Public Forum Debate: Arctic Militarization (PF BALLOT)]
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM = Public Forum Round 1 [Posting: Round 1].
6:35 PM to 7:35 PM = Public Forum Round 2 [Posting: Round 2].
8:00 PM to 8:55 PM = Public Forum Round 3* [Posting: Round 3].
*Depending on the event remaining on schedule.
[‘Crossfire Only’ Event: All grades! (CROSSFIRE BALLOT)].
7:00 PM to 8:45 PM = Crossfire Champions.
[Costume Event: All grades! (COSTUME BALLOT)].
7:00 PM to 7:55 PM = Costume Contest.