1) Please follow the rules in the debate. Your argument is 5 minutes and your rebuttal is 3 minutes.
     ------- Please, do NOT pause the digital recorder between arguments and rebuttals.--------
2) Each team will be allowed two 1-minute time outs. To set strategy if needed.
3) Each team will be allowed two 30-second responses to any rebuttal. Any team member can respond.
4) If a team member does not show for the debate, the team must make up this time slot. The team member that is absent will receive a zero for this project. If I catch anyone cheating all team members will get a zero for the project. So, please be responsible and help your team.
5) You need to make a reservation to listen online to 4 separate debates (not your own). You are allowed to do 2 more evaluations for extra credit. Make your reservations and start listening.
6) Turn in the Cover Sheet and the Debate Evaluation Form and the Notes and Comments Form for each debate! Part of your grade for this project is based upon your debate evaluations. Listen to the debate and write down your thoughts. There is a debate rubric (criteria) for you to follow. Be concise, complete and critical. You can receive less than 10 points per evaluation.
7) To receive the most points-- your team should know the debate rubric (criteria) that evaluators are using!
8 ) Have fun. Let loose. Remember, your classmates are listening to you. Stay on target. Be more interesting than you really are! Get passionate!

Letter sent to all students:
Hello everyone. I hope you are having a good time preparing for the debates.( For those that have already done the debates, thanks) I want offer some advice to everyone:

1) First and most important---have fun.
2) Be serious about your topic. Know your teams arguments. Know the opposing team rebuttals. Be prepared. Read the DEBATE RUBRIC (Criteria). Now. . ..
3) Research your topic. SCIENTIFIC arguments are required.
4) Talk with the opposing group---give each other a little help so that your rebuttals are not empty. Don't give the opposing group everything.
5) Remember that you are only being heard over the internet! Be alive! Make your listeners feel like they are there at the debate. Use descriptive language. Be emotional, aggressive and self-assured. Use your teammate's names. Don't bore your listeners.
6) As a group, discuss the grading rubric that I gave you with the debate rules. Make sure that your listeners are able to give you as many points as possible. Team work, style, science, agruments etc. This is not a series of 5 minute speeches. You should demonstrtae that you are a team. Use your teammates' names. Follow-up on the previous argument. Knock down a previous rebuttal. Look at the Debate Rubric!
7) When evaluating a debate use the Debate Rubric (criteria) . I will score your evaluations based upon how far off the average you are. Don't just give students points because you are unsure. Think about the student you are evaluating. Follow the Rubric. Use your best judgment. It's possible for you to lose lots of points if you score poorly. I am not just simply giving 10 points for each evaluation. Be responsible.
8) Again, have fun. Audience members should ask as many questions as they wish at the end.
9) This project is worth 150 points! That's two homework assignments. Everyone has a copy of this memo. . .

Genetically Modified Food – Based on scientific evidence - That GMF should be banned.
or
Gene Patenting – Based on scientific reasoning –That genes should be patented?
(Biology) (March 27-April 2)

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Global Warming: Is more action needed? – Based on scientific research - That we should take more urgent action to halt this trend.
or
Energy Crisis: Nuclear vs Renewable Sources – That Nuclear Power will be the only way to meet future energy demands.
(Global Warming or Energy Needs) (April 3-9)

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Drugs in Sports - Based on scientific evidence – That the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport should be legalized.
or
Genetic Screening – Based on scientific research -That genetic screening be used to produce genetically healthy or even "designer" babies.
(Medicine) (April 10-16)

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Biodiversity and Endangered Species – Based on scientific research - That we should prevent species from becoming extinct.
or
What killed off the dinosaurs? – Based on scientific research – That the cause for dinosaur extinction was an asteroid that collided with earth 65 million years ago.
(Enviromental or Paleontology) (April 17-23)

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Evolution-vs-Creationism – Based on scientific research –That Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory and should not be taught as science in science classes.
(Darwin-vs-Religion) (April 24-30)

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