Structured Academic Controversy

An opportunity to explore controversial issues and divergent positions and work to reach consensus on what may have happened– highlighting the complexities of particular perspectives, opinions and events. Have youth argue one side of an argument and then have them switch sides before negotiating an agreement between the two sides. The controversial issues can be drawn from current events, from history (whether to drop the A-bomb on Hiroshima), from Science (stem cells), from English Literature (Hamlet’s decision) or Math (taxes or economic allocations/distribution). Debrief as a group before problem solving for solutions.