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Choose to be Curious

Ep. #265: Resolved: Curiosity Is Good for Debate, with David Trigaux

Feb 6, 2025
In this engaging discussion, David Trigaux, Director of Programming and Development at the Washington Urban Debate League, shares how high school debate cultivates critical thinking and empathy in students. He celebrates a decade of debate education, reflecting on its transformative impact and the importance of exploring diverse viewpoints. David emphasizes the role of curiosity in fostering creativity and innovation. Anecdotes illustrate how embracing opposing perspectives leads to personal growth, making curiosity a powerful tool for debate.
28:00

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Participation in policy debate enhances critical thinking and soft skills, helping students navigate increasingly polarized public discourse effectively.
  • Curiosity drives students to explore diverse perspectives in debate, fostering empathy and personal growth through understanding opposing viewpoints.

Deep dives

The Value of Debate in Education

Participation in policy debate significantly enhances critical thinking and various soft skills for students. Through structured competition, students learn to articulate arguments, confront opposing views, and engage in evidence-based discourse, which has proven to elevate their grades and test scores. The Washington Urban Debate League, for instance, has transformed the educational experience for many public school students in Washington, D.C., making debate accessible and beneficial. By cultivating a culture of elevated discourse, they equip students to navigate and critique public discourse dominated by disinformation.

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