Challenging Technology Issues
Description
Participants collaborate to prepare and deliver a debate-style presentation with participants explaining opposing views of a current technology issue.
2024-25 Topics:
Genetic Testing and Counseling
Animal Testing for Scientific Research
The Use of Drones for Surveillance
Privatization of Space Travel
Nanotechnology in Consumer Goods
Wenatchee MS, Team 1, 2025 1st Place
Event Resources
Additional Resources
Reliable newspapers, journals, and YouTube channels can be used to get more information about each of the topics. Some recommendations include:
- The New York Times (Several county libraries offer free access through their websites using a library card number): The New York Times
- The Associated Press (AP): Associated Press News
- The National Institute of Health (NIH): National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- TED, TED Ed, or TEDx Talks: TED YouTube Channel & Official TED Website
- Reuters: Reuters
- BBC News: BBC News
- University publications (websites, journals, etc. that are researched and published by a college or university)
Event Deadlines
January 23, 2025
Team selects 1 of the topics listed above, and creates a video argument, where 1 team member presents the pro side of the topic, and the other presents the con side of the same topic. Video should be 2-4 minutes long.
Upload video to platform of your choice, and submit URL ink.
April 2025
Team signs up for a presentation time during Wednesday night check in.
At their time, the team is given 1 of the topics, and has 15 minutes prep time before presenting the pro and con sides of the topic to the judges.
Depending on numbers, there may not be a semifinal round at State.
Washington TSA Rules
To compete, students must:
Belong to a currently affiliated TSA chapter
Be registered (by their TSA advisor) for competition by December 20, 2024 ($30)
Compete in the January 23, 2025 virtual competition (see individual event pages for details)
Be selected as a top competitor in their event(s) and invited to participate at State
Number of competitors is dependent on specific event
Qualifying competitor lists will be published by February 10, 2025
State Conference registration week February 24-28, 2025 (see state conference page for details)
At the state level, 3 teams per chapter may compete.
Additional Information
Event Coordinator:
Event Manager: Jennifer Smith, jsmith@washingtontsa.org
