National Schools Debates Competition
Overview
The SAASTA National Schools Debates Competition is one of the flagship projects that provides learners with an opportunity to develop their research, critical thinking, and information literacy skills, as well as their ability to work as a team to present logical arguments. Amongst the objectives of the competition is to build science communication ambassadors out of learners through researching and debating of high-level scientific topics. The competition, established in 2008 in three provinces, has since expanded to include all nine provinces.
Entry requirements
Schools enter one team that consists of five learners from grades 9 to 11. A call for interest is sent out in May, whereupon schools respond in kind. The competition rules and guidelines are available on www.saasta.ac.za.
Host
The SAASTA Schools Debates Competition is coordinated by the Science Communication Division of the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement; a business unit of the National Research Foundation.
Benefits
The National Schools Debates Competition is an initiative that gives learners the opportunity to develop their research, critical thinking, and information literacy skills through training workshops and specialist resource packs. In addition, a platform is provided where learners can practice and refine their public speaking skillset.
Target
Grade 9 to 11 learners from schools based in South Africa
How it works
Schools enter teams by responding to a call for interest. Schools are then shortlisted based on their performance at provincial workshops. The provincial workshop has two main objectives. The first half of the workshop focuses on the training of the debating style, research methodology, and the use of social media to discuss ideas. The second half of the workshop involves a mini-debate, which is adjudicated by a panel of judges and from which a final selection of 10 teams to participate in the provincial competitions are made. Finally, the competition ends off with a national event, where a panel of judges selects the top three teams. The most interesting feature of the SAASTA Schools Debates is that each topic is argued using four different perspectives namely: economic, applications and benefits, political and socio-cultural aspects. In addition, learners are encouraged to share their viewpoint during the mini Imbizo’s and with social media.
Cost
Free entry to all participants.
Awards
Prizes are awarded during each phase of the competition and include medals, trophies and advanced technological gadgets for learners. In addition, the top team is awarded an international educational trip to visit various science related sites in New York.
Competition timelines
The provincial workshops are conducted in all nine provinces, followed by the provincial tournament, ending with the national tournament in September/October every year.