Public Forum Debate
Tackle current topics. Persuade new audiences.
Public Forum Debate was first piloted for Chicago Debates in 2022 and officially launched as a full competitive season in 2024. Introduced specifically for middle school students, Public Forum Debate emphasizes accessible, real-world topics that students can directly relate to. Each year, coaches choose the resolution to ensure it reflects the interests and experiences of our students. Public Forum encourages teamwork, clear communication, critical thinking, and the ability to make arguments understandable and persuasive to a wide audience.
Public Forum Scrimmages
Our Public Forum debaters tackle some of today’s most important issues, learning to research, build strong arguments, and think analytically about current events. Public Forum is designed to be accessible—no debate experience required to coach, volunteer, or get involved!
Middle school students compete in two-person teams within one of six neighborhood “clusters”—Chatham, Northwest Side, Hyde Park, Austin, Bridgeport/Chinatown, Rogers Park, and the Far Northwest Side—traveling to after-school scrimmages hosted by nearby schools. The season, starting in the fall, builds toward an exciting City Championship, where all clusters come together for one big tournament. Public Forum challenges students to defend their arguments with logic, evidence, and persuasive communication, helping them grow into confident thinkers, researchers, and advocates.
