Great Pumpkin Debates

21st Century Debate Online Event (All Grades)

They are hosting an online debate event… 
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024 (US).
Time (Pacific): Saturday, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm / Time (Eastern): Saturday, 4:00 pm to 8:00 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.

Debate Topic (ALL): The United States federal government should substantially expand its “surveillance infrastructure” along its southern border.

“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, November 2, 2024):
[All times are for US, Eastern]
4:00 PM to 4:15 PM = Orientation
[Skills Debate: Increasing US Border Surveillance (SKILLS BALLOT)].
4:25 PM to 4:55 PM = Skills Debate Round 1
5:05 PM to 5:35 PM = Skills Debate Round 2
5:45 PM to 6:15 PM = Skills Debate Round 3
[Public Forum Debate: Increasing US Border Surveillance (PF BALLOT)]
4:25 PM to 5:25 PM = Public Forum Round 1
5:35 PM to 6:35 PM = Public Forum Round 2
6:45 PM to 7:45 PM = Public Forum Round 3
[‘Crossfire Only’ Event: All grades! (CROSSFIRE BALLOT)].
6:00 PM to 7:45 PM = Crossfire Champions.
[Costume Event: All grades! (COSTUME BALLOT)].
6:00 PM to 6:55 PM = Costume Contest.

EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

Student Name *

Please provide the first and last name.

Parent Name *

Please provide the first and last name.

Student Email

Please do NOT use the parent's email.

Parent Email *

To reach parents for important updates.

Student Mobile

Please do NOT use the parent's phone.

Parent Mobile *

For urgent and/or important matters.

Which event will you attend... *Great Pumpkin Debates (Nov 2nd)Snow Globe Debates (Dec 14th)Other: See Below.

Student's Grade (Current) *Grade 1Grade 2Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8Grade 9Grade 10Grade 11Grade 12Adult (18+)

Student's Role *Other (See Comments).1st Speaker (Public Forum).2nd Speaker (Public Forum).Competing (Skills Debate).Competing (Extra Events).Volunteering (as Judge).Volunteering (as Adult Supervisor).Observing.

Student's Experience *Other (See Comments).None.Events: 1-2 total.Events: 3-4 total.Events: 5+ total.

Which extra events is the participant interested in... *

• Crossfire Champions
• Speaking Contest (via Video)
• Writing Contest (via Email)
• Costume Contest (Only for Halloween)
• Undecided
• None of These

Some tournaments offer 'extra' events, which are free to join, along with awards for the top performances.

Partner preferences... *

Please provide a few names of people you would like to partner with. Also... pls describe the kind of partner you are interested in.

Additional Questions/Comments:

Submit