Heads of School are kindly informed that the Science Centre within the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes, is organizing the fifth edition of the Thematic STEM Debate. The aim of this activity is to engage students to become active critical thinkers and skilled debaters. Through effective participation in the debate, students will:

▪examine ideas, reports, audio-visual material and policy documents;

▪verify the value of evidence for concepts; ▪recognize strengths and weaknesses of arguments;

▪engage with opposing views and speak strategically.

The theme to the debate is ‘Medical technology is here to stay: What is the future of medical technology and how will we overcome the challenges?’. In preparation for the Thematic STEM debate, student participants together with their mentors are requested to carefully read and analyse the documents listed hereunder:

The Grand Challenges of Medical Technology – https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmedt.2020.00001/full – ‘Challenges and

Drawbacks of the EU Medical System Generated by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Field of Health Systems’ Digitalization. –https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9100197/

Advantages and Disadvantages of Medical Technology – https://adilblogger.com/advantages-disadvantages-medical-technology/ and https://bscholarly.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-medical-technology/

The following criteria will be used by a team of professionals to adjudicate the debate:

▪organization and clarity –main arguments and responses presented in a clear/orderly way;

▪use of argument –response given to support the arguments; ▪use of cross-examination and rebuttal –identification of weaknesses in other’s arguments and ability to defend own arguments.

▪presentation style –tone of voice, clarity of expression, precision of arguments.

The Thematic STEM Debate for Year 10/11 students will be held on Tuesday 29th November 2022from 9.30am to 11.30am at the Baxter Malta, VF9Q+Q2X, Industrial Estate, Marsa. A location map will be sent on registration. The programme of the event is can be downloaded HERE. Each school can nominate one Year 10/11 student by accessing this registration link https://forms.office.com/r/fZV3rVhy9W by Friday, 11thNovember 2022. Registrations are on a first come first served basis. Kindly note that travel to/from Baxter Malta should be coordinated by the participating school. One adult (teacher/guardian) can accompany the student. Three participants will be presented the Top Debater Award. Winners will be announced towards the end of the debate. Certificates of participation will be presented to all students while winners will be awarded a smart watch by Baxter Malta.

Any queries can be put forward to Ms Penelope Fitzgerald (penelope.ann.fitzgerald@ilearn.edu.mt).