2009-2010

DISCUSSION OUTLINE

21st Century Science

and Technology

Minnesota State High School League
2100 Freeway Boulevard Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-1735
(763) 560-2262 FAX (763) 569-0499

Overview of Discussion

“Problem-solving Discussion is an effort on the part of a small group to reach a solution to a problem through informal interchange of facts, inferences, and judgments. This method of discussion seeks consensus rather than majority rule. The focus of this event should be the encouragement of cooperation and critical thinking to arrive at the collective goal of better understanding and problem solving.”

This statement from the Minnesota State High School League Rules and Policy Manual reflects the true spirit of this event. As discussion participants prepare and research, the goal should be to collect information and collaborative skills that will maximize their ability to make valuable contributions as members of a variety of contest groups. In contest rounds, all discussants should cooperate to achieve group consensus through both substantive (adding valuable information, perspectives, and analysis) and procedural (enhancing the group process, full participation, and positive exchange of ideas) contributions to the discussion.

Overview of This Year’s Topic

English novelist C.P. Snow commented in the March 15, 1971, edition of the New York Times that “Technology...is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other.” It is the spirit of that quotation which has shaped this outline. While the three topic areas of the outline are distinct, there are parallels in that students and task writers should consider the benefits and problems associated with each. Please realize that the intent of this topic is not only to address what technology is the best, but also to examine, both positively and negatively, technology’s place in parts of our society. A definite attempt has been made in each of the points to focus, but not hinder, the areas that tasks might address.

A Note on Use of Topics at Invitationals

While the Minnesota State High School League does not limit the use of topic areas used for Discussion in invitational speech tournaments, the Committee on Discussion has recommended the following “schedule” to give students experience with all parts of the outline:

January- February 19: State Topics (III. Space Exploration)

February 20- March 13:Sectional Topics (II. Genetics)

March 14 - Start of Subsections:Subsection Topics (I. Green Technology)

2009-2010 MSHSL Discussion Topic Outline

21st Century Science and Technology

Discussion tasks this year will center on the best method to achieve progress in the specified areas. Remember that deciding to not pursue a certain application is a valid response. All legal, moral, ethical, economic, and political considerations as well as prioritizing physical and human resources should be taken into account when considering a task.

I. Green Technology – Subsection Topic

  1. Transportation

1.Alternative Fuels

2.Mass Transit

3.Fuel Standard Improvements

  1. Energy

1.Solar

2.Wind

3.Geo-Thermal

4.Algae

  1. Recycling
  2. Green Tourism
  3. Construction and Development
  4. Green Retailing and Purchasing
  5. Environmental Protection and Remediation

II. Genetics – Section Topic

  1. Human Genetics

1.Human Cloning

2.Stem-Cell Research

3.Gene Therapy

4.Reproductive Technology

5.Personalized Medicine

  1. Food Production/GMO’s

1.Nutrition

2.Crop Development

  1. Industrial Technology

III. Space – State Topic

  1. Moon Missions
  2. Mars Missions
  3. Manned
  4. Unmanned
  5. International Space Station
  6. Space Debris
  7. Space Ownership Rights
  8. Space Transportation
  9. Commercial Travel
  10. Retirement of the Space Shuttle Fleet
  11. Constellation Program

Bibliography

(This is by no means a definitive list, but merely a starting place for those needing some guidance.)

Books

Avise, John C. The Hope, Hype, and Reality of Genetic Engineering: Remarkable Stories from Agriculture, Industry, Medicine, and the Environment. Oxford UP, 2004. Print.

Friedman, Thomas. Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution — and How It Can Renew America. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008. Print.

Mulhall, Douglas. Our Molecular Future: How Nanotechnology, Robotics, Genetics and Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Our World. Prometheus Books, 2002. Print.

Seedhouse, Erik. Tourists in Space: A Practical Guide. Praxis, 2008. Print.

Turner, Martin J.L. Expedition Mars. Springer, 2004. Print.

Yudelson, Jerry. Green Building A to Z: Understanding the Language of Green Building. New Society, 2007. Print.

Periodicals

Achenbach, Joel. "Mars Mission Has Some Seeing Red; NASA's Ambitious New Rover Is Too Costly, Critics Say." The Washington Post.11 Feb. 2009: A.1. Print.

Ames, Ann Marie. "‘Green’ definition a gray area." Pro Quest. 19 Apr. 2009. Web. <

Cookson, Clive. "Constellation Project Has NASA Reaching for the Stars Again." Financial Times [London]. 15 July 2009: 6. Print.

Illia, Tony. "Saving Greenbacks by Going Green." Las Vegas Review-Journal.2 Aug. 2009: E.1. Print.

Jaenisch, Rudolf. "Human Cloning — The Science and Ethics of Nuclear Transplantation." New England Journal of Medicine. 351.27 (2004): 2787-792. Print.

Malik, Tariq. "Panel Narrows Down NASA’s Future Options." MSNBC. 5 Aug. 2009. Web. <

Oliver, Rachel. "All About Algae: Can Pond Scum Power Our Future?" CNN.com. 14 Apr. 2008. <

Shaer, Matthew. "Wal-Mart Takes the Lead in Green Retailing." Christian Science Monitor. 16 July 2009. Web. <

Stein, Rob. "Chinese Researchers Breed Mice from Adult Animal Skin; News Offers Hope of Embryonic Stem Cell Alternative." Boston Globe.24 July 2009: A.5. Print.

Stone, Andrew. "Green Homes Pledge in Peril; Developers May Be Willing to Pay the Price and Shun a Demand That New Homes Must Be Carbon Neutral by 2016." Sunday Times [London]. 2 Aug. 2009: 9. Print.

Van't Veer, Laura J. "Enabling Personalized Cancer Medicine Through Analysis of Gene-expression Patterns." Nature.452.7187 (2008): 564-71. Print.

Weiss, Rick. "Altered Viruses Reversed Progressive Blindness, Studies Say." Washington Post. 28 Apr. 2008: A.5. Print.

Wylie, Margie. "Entrepreneurs Claim Parts of the Moon as Their Own ; No Law Says Individuals Cannot Own — or Sell — Space Property. So for 20 Bucks, a Dubious Deed to Lunar Real Estate Can Be Yours." The Grand Rapids Press.15 Feb. 2004: A.9. Print.