Thematic STEM debate is an initiative that provides the setting for students to place their arguments and rebuttals on a particular theme. The first edition of this initiative was held in 2019 for secondary students. Year 11 students of that year were invited to participate in this event.
In 2020, this initiative was extended to primary schools (year 6 students) and in 2021 to middle schools (year 8 students). Themes discussed by twelve debaters, each from a different state and non-state school were the following:
Themes discussed in past editions
| Year | Primary School Thematic STEM Debate | Middle School Thematic STEM Debate | Secondary School Thematic STEM Debate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Space Exploration | Technology in the Life of Teens | Medical technology is here to stay: What is the future of medical technology and how will we overcome the challenges? |
| 2021 | From Field to Fork: Genetically modified food | Exotic Animals as pets | Women in STEM and Economic Growth |
| 2020 | Climate change | — | The Socio-Economic impact of a Pandemic |
| 2019 | — | — | Health impacts of specific environmental threats |
The aim of this initiative is to engage students to become active critical thinkers and skilled debaters. Each school can nominate one student. Participating students are given a pre-arranged document containing reports, audio-visual materials and policies on the theme to help them set their arguments. Such documents contain national, European and International positions/ opinions on the theme.
Through effective participation in the debate, students:
- verify the value of evidence for concepts;
- recognize strengths and weaknesses of arguments;
- engage with opposing views and speak strategically.
The debate is moderated by a professional capable of keeping a dynamic discussion both informative and engaging as well as being proficient in the subject of the theme. A team of professionals will adjudicate each event using a set of criteria.
For a successful event, partnerships have been formed with local banks, the industry sector, museums, national entities as well as non-governmental organisations. The Science centre partners sponsor this event by hosting the Thematic STEM debate, providing an adjudicator or financing the awards.
Three winners for the Top Debater Award are announced during a short award ceremony at the end of the debate.
Links to letter circulars
Thematic STEM Debate winners
| Year | Level | Winning Schools | Top Debaters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Primary | St Thomas More College, Fgura Primary B Gozo College, Qala Primary Maria Regina College, Naxxar Primary | Jacob Buttigieg Guzeppi Grech Jamie Grima |
| 2022 | Middle | St Thomas More College, Middle School, Tarxien St Benedict College, Middle School, Kirkop St Clare College, National Sport School, Pembroke | Nadine Cassar Joaquin Cutajar Mattea Saliba |
| 2022 | Secondary | St Ignatius College, Secondary School, Handaq St Monica School, Birkirkara St Clare College, Secondary School, Pembroke | Ansari, Aatiqah Farheen Deidun, Ylenia Zheng, Qing |
| 2021 | Primary | Gozo College, Sannat St. Francis school, Msida St. Theresa College, Birkirkara | Giosiana Cardona Jayden Giordmaina Kai Kirby Pencz |
| 2021 | Middle | St Nicholas College, Rabat St. Martin’s College Maria Regina College, Naxxar | David Dimitrov Viyachki Daniela Doandes Julia Ricci Costa |
| 2021 | Secondary | St. Jeanne Antide College St. Benedict College, Kirkop Maria Regina College, Zokrija, Mosta | Nina Skye Briffa Martina Casaru` Lianne Sammut |
| 2020 | Primary | Maria Regina College, Naxxar San Gorg Preca College, Floriana St. Margaret College, Vittoriosa | Hailey Schembri Leo Vergnaud Iker Zerafa |
| 2019 | Secondary | St. Monica School, Gzira St. Benedict College, Kirkop Maria Regina College, Zokrija, Mosta | Ella Micallef Darmenia Valentina Stagno Navarra Daniel Vella |
Gallery of Thematic STEM Debate
in Primary Schools
in Middle Schools
in Secondary Schools
