Objective:

Next week we will hold an in-class debate on the issue of global warming. Specifically, the class will be divided into three groups:

Group 1 will be assigned the task of gathering facts and data supporting the argument that the planet is warming and that people bear at least some, significant responsibility for the warming.

Group 2 is responsible for finding facts and data that refute the argument that the planet is warming. Alternatively, Group 2 can accept the idea that the planet is warming, however, refute the argument that people bear a significant amount of responsibility for the warming.

Group 3 will act as an audience of policy makers, who are knowledgeable in science, but do not have expertise in the area of global warming. It is their job to ask questions of both groups 1 and 2 and come up with a policy on global warming.
 
 

Format of the Debate:

Groups 1 and 2 will each be given 15 minutes to present their arguments to the policy makers. Each group will then be given 5 minutes to refute the other side's argument(s). The policy makers will be given 10 minutes to ask questions of both Groups 1 and 2.