Tacoma/South Puget Sound MESA

2007-2008

Organize and present thoughts orally with preparation from selected topics.

Download Event Rules Here

Download Speech Topics Here

Level/Grade

Elementary School/Grades 4 - 5
Middle School/Grades 6 - 8
High School/Grades 9 - 12

Teams

Overview

Materials

Rules

1. Props, models, charts, graphs (visual aids) are strongly encouraged.  A computer, projector (linked to computer), document camera, and an overhead projector will be available.  Students can bring USB Data Drives, CDs, or DVDs with their project information on it.
2. Students may select any speech topic from the list provided.  Students are expected to do research.  They can interview and quote experts, associates, or use quotes from written sources.  They can provide examples, and/or use illustrations, facts, and figures.
3. Students must submit a typed copy of their Prepared Speech to the judge on MESA Day to be admitted into the competition room.
4. Judges will assemble all competing students in the room and read the rules and judging criteria. 
5. Students will draw numbers to determine speaking order.  Once the speaking order is established, no late arrivals may compete.
6. Judges will excuse all speakers from the room.
7. Starting with speaker #1, students will have one minute to prepare for their speech.  Students will speak for two to three minutes.
8. Judges will provide time signals when 1 minute is remaining, and then another signal when 15 seconds is remaining.
9. Judges will be given a minute to conclude their evaluation of each speaker.
10. Judges will allow students who have already competed to remain in the room if they wish.
11. The minimum audience is the number of judges.
12. The maximum audience is the number of attendees (previous entrants, judges, others) who can be seated during the competition.  Entrants who have not competed are not allowed to participate as an audience member.
13. Once seated, the audience must remain during that speech.

Judging

1. Students must give their speeches in the order drawn.  No exceptions and no late arrivals are allowed.
2. Judges will rate the students on a five-point scale (5 = Excellent, 4 = Good, 3 = Average, 2 = Fair, 1 = Poor, 0 = Missing) in 11 areas: voice projection, pace, enunciation, eye contact, hand gestures, postures, topic, logic, examples, research, body.
3. Judges will rank students in first through third place based on total points at the end of the competition.  Judges will take 5 points off if the speech is less than two minutes and take 5 points off if the speech goes over three minutes.  Judges rankings will be tallied to determine the winners.  The participant with the most points wins and is followed by second and third place winners.  In case of a tie, duplicate awards are to be given.

Speech Topics - Middle & High School

1. There is a very real chance that we will have either the first black or the first female President of the United States in our nation’s history.  Do you think either outcome will have an impact on opportunities for people of color and females in math and science?  Why or why not?  Imagine yourself as one of the candidates, and develop a plan to ensure that we would have more people of color and females in this country entering the fields of math, science and technology.
2. Across the United States, girls are outperforming boys on college entrance exams.  More girls are entering college, law school, and medical school than boys.  If this trend continues and we have more women than men trained in professional fields, what are some long-term implications in American society?  Is this a positive trend, or do you think boys need to “step it up” academically?
3. Global warming is widely acknowledged in the scientific community as a reality.  Describe both short-term and long-term implications of global warming.  Should we be alarmed?  If not, why not?  If so, what do you think we should we do about it? 
4. The Washington Assessment of Student Learning test (WASL) is now the standard of measuring learning in Washington State.  Is the WASL necessary?  Is it a fair requirement for graduation?  If so, why?  If not, can you suggest an alternative standard that could be used in lieu of the WASL?
5. Globalization is a reality in today’s world.  Jobs that used to be available to Americans are now moved to Indian, Asian, and Latin American countries.  What can Americans do to remain competitive in the global marketplace of the future?
6. In the past year, the global demand for crude oil has driven the price of oil to record levels, contributed to religious and political tension between East and West, and threatened to destabilize the economies of nations dependent on oil.  Alternative energy sources would diminish America’s dependence on the world’s oil reserves.  What do you suggest as the next best alternative energy?  How long do you think it will take until we can provide an alternative source of energy?
7. MESA is designed to increase the number of African American, Hispanic, and Native American students in math, science, engineering and technology fields.  The numbers of these students are still lower than desired in the MESA program.  What can you do to increase the number of underrepresented students who participate in MESA?
8. What impact do math and science have on our ability to predict, prepare, react and respond to natural disasters?   Explore the damage caused by a major natural disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina or the recent tornadoes in Tennessee and Alabama, and/or discuss ways to prepare for these types of events.
9. How are math and science used in the movie-making industry?

Prepared Speech Topics - Elementary School

1. Describe a job you would like to have when you are done with college.  Explain why it is an important job.
2. Would you like to live on the moon?  Design a house for living on the moon or on Mars.
3. How would you change the world to make it a better place?  Give examples of what you would do and why it is important.
4. Is it really important to learn about math and science?  Why is it important?
5. Should 3-5 year olds be exposed to computer & video games?  Think about you, your friends, and your family.  How have these games affected people you know?
6. Why is the WASL necessary?  How should students prepare for it?
7. America is electing a new president this year.  If you could vote, who would you choose as our next president and why?

Awards