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Youth Programs
Youth Debate Bowl
challenge perspectives through dialogue
The Youth Debate Bowl, in collaboration with the Center of Democracy for Deaf America, is a marquee event on Gallaudet’s Youth Programs calendar. Created to foster critical thinking and public speaking skills in a fun, inclusive environment, the Youth Debate Bowl is open to all individual middle school (Grades 6-8) and high school (Grades 9-12) students. Students from mainstream programs, Deaf schools, and even homeschool programs are welcome to compete in this head to head debate!
There is no cost to participate – just submit a qualification video if interested!
3 to 5 minute presentation videos on a pre-assigned topic.
Middle school: Children should receive participation trophies.
High School: The Electoral College should be replaced with the popular vote.
Submissions must be submitted online from September 9th to November 1st, 2024.
Top four submissions for each age group (middle school and high school) will compete in a head to head debate virtually.
Semifinals for both age groups will be held virtually during the week of December 6th, 2024.
Top two students from both high school and middle school age groups will be invited to compete in a head to head debate in-person.
The Youth Debate Bowl finals will be held on the week of February 24 – 28, 2025 at Gallaudet University.
Affirmative/Negative Opening
Affirmative/Negative Rebuttal
Crossfire
Judges’ Questions
Affirmative/ Negative Closing
Two finalists in both the middle school and high school divisions will be given an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Finals at Gallaudet University!
$150
$100
$50
Resources for Teachers
If you are a teacher or educator of deaf and hard of hearing youth interested in helping students prepare for and succeed in the Debate Bowl program, or serving as a debate coach for students in your school, fill out the interest form:
Resources for Teams
We’ve got you covered.
The purpose of the Debate Bowl is to foster critical thinking and public speaking skills; healthy democratic skills and habits; promote a spirit of academic competition and good sportsmanship; and encourage social opportunities and collegiality among students.
The Youth Debate Bowl is open to all deaf and hard of hearing students in both middle school and high school. Individuals may come from residential schools, day schools, mainstream programs, homeschooling programs, or any other type of educational program.
Submissions and registration is done entirely online. The link to register/submit for the Youth Debate Bowl is available on this page. Students compete as individuals, and there are no teams in this competition. There will be three stages: Qualifying Stage, Semifinals, and Finals. The Qualifying and Semifinals will be conducted online. The Finals will be in person at Gallaudet University.
No. There are no expenses for participants. The competition is free!
Two finalists from both the middle school and high school divisions will be given an all-expenses paid trip to compete in a head-to-head debate at Gallaudet University.The competition will take place on February 27th, 2025. The Youth Debate Bowl Finals will also be part of CEASD’s The Capital Connection tour.
Families and visitors are more than welcome to watch the national competition at Gallaudet on February 27th. There is no charge to attend. Families are more than welcome to travel to the national competition to support their child(ren).
See the winners from previous Youth Debate Bowl Competitions.
Gallaudet University, the world’s only four-year liberal arts university serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students, serves as the educational, social, and political engine of Deaf America. The duty of the university to foster disagreement, debate, and civic engagement is embedded in its role as a higher education institution.