HOW DOES IT WORK?





Students, or 'Eth-letes', are guided by a coach (usually a teacher) who helps them prepare for the event.



Each year, age-appropriate and engaging ethical cases are made available to coaches.

On the day, teams meet online via Zoom. All that is required is a stable internet connection.

The aim is to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and clear communication skills within a shared conversation. Students are provided a constructive space where they can work through complex ethical issues together, as members of a shared moral and political community.



Each round centres on aN ethical question.



Two teams meet in a moderated session with an experienced judge.

The structure looks like this:

  • A coin toss decides which team begins.
  • The judge presents the ethical question.
  • One team delivers a 5 minute presentation explaining the position they find most defensible.
  • The other team offers a 3 minute commentary, analysing and engaging with that reasoning.
  • The first team has 3 minutes to respond.
  • The judge then spends 7 minutes questioning the presenting team to probe and clarify their thinking.
  • The roles are then reversed, so both teams present and respond.


Judges assess teams on the clarity, their critical thinking skills, their ability to respond respectfully, and collaboratively. The focus is on clear thinking and constructive engagement, not rhetorical point scoring.



DIVISIONS



  • Junior School: 9–12 years
  • Middle School: 12–14 years
  • Senior School: 15–18 years
  • Tertiary: University students


COACHES RECEIVE



  • A comprehensive set of coaches resources.
  • ​The full case set in advance (6 cases for Junior division & 8 cases for Middle, Senior and Tertiary Divisions).


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS



  • Senior: May
  • Junior: June and September
  • Middle: November
  • Tertiary: October



TEAM STRUCTURE



Teams consist of up tofive students, guided by a coach.

​ ​Schools and universities may enter one or two teams per division.



REGISTRATION FEES



Team registration is currently $250–$265 AUD (approx. $165–$175 USD).


Discounted rates apply for member schools and early registrations.




"Many of our students have said this is the most meaningful extracurricular learning experience they have had. It was incredible to watch the students develop their ethical understanding and critical thinking skills - the cases and questions were all fantastic. I cannot recommend the Olympiad enough!!"
​- Aliesha Simmons Selwyn School NZ



admin@ethicsolympiad.org. PO BOX 116, Dernancourt SA 5075.