In this project, we worked in groups to form debates around three main energy types: renewable, fossil fuel, and nuclear. We had to learn the pros and cons of each, and engage in debates with fellow peers about them. The debates were fast-paced and unpredictable, since the side you had to represent (pro or con) was determined mere minutes before the debate.
PROCESS:
We had to do a lot of prior research for this project. We learned about so many types of energy production, and all sides of them, from science to politics. Below are three Canva documents that I made that explain the basic compositions of the three energy types.
We also had to create documents that displayed our research for both pros and cons of each energy type. The other members of my group mostly worked on this, since I was doing the Canvas, but I also contributed to it by adding additional arguments and strengthening some, as well.
Additionally, we wrote scripts for our arguments for the debates. This part was very labor intensive, since it required us to compile all of our work into short speeches.
On the day of the actual debate, my group and I were very nervous, but also excited. We had prepared a lot of material and were focused on winning the debates. The structure for the event was interesting: there were four groups of students, and two would go against each other at a time, while the other two watched. They would be given a topic, such as renewable energy, flip a coin, and then decide which side they would argue for: pro or con. Then they would debate and either win or lose. Each group would debate three times, once for each energy type.
Fortunately, my team won all three debates that we participated in. I believe that they did a really great job with public speaking and challenging arguments. I particularly enjoyed asking the other group questions to challenge their arguments.
REFLECTION:
I really enjoyed this project! It was similar to Model UN, which I also loved, so I think that I have a general appreciation of debates. It really pushed me to see things from different perspectives, in order to strengthen arguments, even for things I didn't agree with. The biggest thing that it taught me, other than content, is that it is so important to understand all sides of something before you create an argument.