Calling all Debaters! The new topic is: What should be done to save the US Postal Service (USPS)? You can check out some resources on the topic and record your response on our new Flipgrid page. You will need to sign in with your school email account. Looking forward to hearing your ideas and arguments!
It was just announced that the MTA Will End Overnight Subway Service For Duration Of the Pandemic.
When the Round 3 Topic was announced, we could not have imagined a situation whereby NYC would actually shut down 24 hour subway service in the near future. It was more of an intellectual exercise to explore the potential benefits and costs of taking a drastic step in order to improve service, cleanliness, and the infrastructure of a very old subway system. This is why debaters stay ahead of the curve. Our students have already weighed the pros and the cons, and know what considerations, steps and procedures need to be taken to put the closure into effect and secure the subway system overnight. They also know that busses and dollar vans will be more important now than ever, as they transport our essential workers from 1-5 am.
How does this news change your perspective? How would you refine your arguments in light of this new reality? What other information or sources are needed to enforce your positions? Head on over to the flipgrid and let us know where you stand.
Greetings, Debaters! The Round 3 Topic: NYC should end 24 hour subway service is now on flipgrid. Students can head over to the grid to record a 90 second video taking either the Pro or the Con side. You can either use your prepared arguments or go off-script for this one. Please email Cara or Charles if you need the link. Let’s go!
Do you remember the 2017 debate topic, “The US should immediately stop construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline?” If you recall from the news at that time, construction went ahead on the pipeline, and oil started flowing.
Recently, a judge stopped the oil flow and ruled that another environmental review should begin. The Standing Rock Sioux Native American tribe, whose land the pipeline skirted, was grateful.
Read about it in the National Public Radio website.
Greetings, Debaters. As you all know, schools are closed and we’ve had to postpone our debate round. While schools and families get set-up for remote learning, we are brainstorming ideas for the best ways to use our virtual debate room to keep things going for a while. Remember that our online classroom is available from any internet connected device, including mobile. First idea… How about a speech competition that students can join from home? Updates will be coming soon. In the meantime, please stay healthy, stay safe, and wear your debate swag to show love (send photos!).
The 36K student scholars presented the History of the Subway at the 2020 social studies fair. I wonder if their debate team knows about this….
Happy National Speech and Debate Education Day!
Round 3 begins March 16… Check the schedule tab above to support your favorite team- or to check out the competition! This round we are debating whether or not NYC should end our world famous 24 hour subway service. But why would we want to do that…? Tune in beginning on March 16 to see what the teams have to say.
Round two begins next week! There is certainly a lot to debate about in the next election cycle, and we begin with the matter of whether or not Election Day should be a national holiday. Tune in beginning on Jan 31 to hear the arguments!
Daniel, of the 721K Knights of Reason debate team, came to the Student Advocacy Project on Thursday, December 12, at the District Office. It was nice to meet him in person.
Also, a big thanks to Daniel for his suggestion on improving the Debate website security!
IBM has created a computer that can debate itself! In an event at Cambridge University in England, the computer debated the topic of whether artificial intelligence would do more harm than good. Sounds like an interesting topic!
Some of you have been asking… what exactly counts as “performing arts?” Merriam-Webster defines the term as “types of art (such as music, dance, or drama) that are performed for an audience.” So… is debate a performing art? Depends who you ask, we guess…
Today is Election Day and there is a lot of debate going on about the 5 ballot questions that voters will decide. Even though there are only 5 questions, there are a total of 19 issues rolled into them, so even if you agree with some parts of the question, you may disagree with others, and will still have to choose either “Yes” or “No.” Is it fair? Is there a better way? Find a sample ballot online and let us know what you think!
Debate topics always seem to come back around. Not too long ago, our debaters took sides on the issue of whether or not college athletes should be paid, and today California passed a bill allowing them to do just that. The issue is far from settled, with the NCAA urging the governor not to sign the legislation into law. We will be watching to see how it unfolds in California and the rest of the nation. Here is an article and video clip from nbc news discussing the story.
The new school year is here and you already know… that means that the new Debate season is upon us. The workshop for teachers is on October 3, so make sure that your teachers sign up. Then, get your team together, recruit any new debate superstars in your school, and start brainstorming the topics that you would like to debate this year. Send in your ideas and let’s get this season underway!
Congratulations to the 2019 District 75 Debate Champions! Team photos from the live events are coming soon.
High School:
First Place: 368K Brooklyn’s Finest Debate Team
Second Place: 177Q All Stars
Third Place: 226M Pride
Honorable Mention: 751M MSCD Eagles
Middle School:
First Place: 751M MSCD Eagle Scouts
Second Place: 25R Panthers
Third Place: 75Q Deep Debaters
Honorable Mention: 352X BX Debates All Day
Not all Puerto Ricans think that statehood is the best solution to the island’s problems. Here, a Vice News piece from 2017 explores a street art collective and their views on how Puerto Rico should move forward:
Our last debate topic invited teams to delve into the details of what makes a state a state. Is it the size of the population? The area of land? Must a state include both urban and rural sections? What about cities that are larger than some states? What does it mean to be a “territory?”
Well, after getting our toes wet with the D.C. statehood topic, we’ve moved on to the final topic of the year, which asks teams to delve even deeper into the issue by considering the case of statehood for Puerto Rico. Are any of the arguments the same? Are there other or better alternatives than statehood (ahem, con side)? What do the people of Puerto want? What does the constitution say? With just about 3 weeks left to prepare, the teams are knee deep in their research. We wish them luck and look forward to hearing the arguments and evidence in this Championship round!
This year’s Championship teams have been announced! Competing in the online competition this year for Middle School are the 75Q Deep Debaters vs 352X Bx Debates All Day. In the High School Competition are the 226M Pride vs the 751 MSCD Debaters. Competing in-person this year for the 1st and 2nd place titles in Middle School are the 25R Panthers vs the 751 MSCD Eagle Scouts. In the High School match, 368K Brooklyn’s Finest Debate Team vs the 177Q All Stars. There are just four debates left in the season. Legggoooo!
A new poll by the Gallup Organization reports that most Americans do not want Washington D.C. to become a state.
