Is it immoral or unjust for states to make it illegal for teachers to strike? To what extent should public opinion influence policy making in biotechnology? These are some of the questions that members of the National Ethics Bowl Club tackle.
Founded in 2020, the club centers on collaborative discussions regarding modern day issues.
“I started the club because I wanted to create a space where we could talk about the tough questions we face in life, whether that’s environmental concerns, political issues or even dilemmas in video games,” president and junior Moses An said. “A lot of people hear the word ‘ethics’ and think of old statues of philosophers or courtroom debates, but I wanted to break down those stereotypes.”
In National High School Ethics Bowl, students compete in teams at the regional and national level. After hearing the judge present the case and question, teams get two minutes of preparation time before taking turns presenting a side and responding to each other in two to three minute intervals. The round ends with the judge asking each team questions for 10 minutes before scoring their presentation, according to NHSEB.org. Notably, discussion is not meant to be combative, but collaborative.
Within club meetings, An usually allows members to take the lead on discussions. Throughout, students employ everything from ancient philosophies to hypotheticals and real world examples in order to best answer the proposed question. The club’s eventual goal is to compete at the national competition held in April.
“For me, it’s a chance to think deeply about complex issues and learn how to articulate my thoughts better,” junior Olivia Skeete said. “I’ve grown in public speaking, teamwork and critical thinking. Plus, it’s a great way to challenge my perspectives and hear ideas that broaden how I see the world.”
Students prepare for NHSEB by going through the case set that the competition provides, researching each topic and outlining strong arguments together as a team. Then, students take turns practicing presenting their ideas, revising them based on feedback and responding to one work that teammates simulating as judges or other teams may provide.
As the club continues to grow, they have set their sights on one day partnering with other schools to practice events and setting up community events. An said that at its core, it aspires to encourage students to consider ethics in their daily lives — no matter the context.
“Through this club, members learn to consider different perspectives, articulate their values and approach problems in a meaningful way,” An said. “It’s a skill set that goes beyond competition and it’s something you carry into the real world.”
