Team of 2 · Debate-style presentation
Challenging Technology Issues
You and a partner will explain opposing views of a technology issue.
What you make or do
- Prepare to discuss both sides of each of the five annual topics.
- At the conference, organize and deliver a two-to-four-minute presentation in which your team presents opposing viewpoints.
This year’s challenge
The 2027 topics concern AI-written news, coding as a required middle-school subject, virtual reality replacing high-school science labs, medical tourism, and robots in elderly and child care.
How the competition works
Before the event
Research the annual topics and practice explaining both sides. You may bring printed reference materials, pens or pencils, and note cards.
First round
Your team randomly selects a topic, has fifteen minutes to prepare, and presents both sides to the judges.
If you advance
Repeat the preparation-and-presentation process in the semifinal round. Scores reset for that round.
Know before you choose: Both teammates participate in one presentation; you are not assigned to debate against a second team. Preparation references must be non-electronic.
How your work is scored
Judges assess each side's organization, topic knowledge, introduction, conclusion, language, and delivery, as well as both teammates' participation.
Read the full 2027 theme or preparation information
Official files to keep
- Download the full event guide (PDF)
- Download the official rubric or score sheet (PDF)
- Download the general rules (PDF)
- Download the complete guide with the forms appendix (PDF)
Read the guide, current challenge, and updates together. This overview helps you choose; the official documents give the full requirements.
Guide evidence: 65–71. Annual sources checked September 10, 2026. These are national competition rules; your teacher will confirm any regional or state changes.
Interested in this event?
Use the notes sheet to check what this choice would involve.
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