And the tournament continues… Day 11.

After the Fourth of July fun, students at the Mean Green LD Workshop resumed the grueling schedule of tournament rounds and lab. The day began with a swift wake up call of beeping timers and other lovely debate round sounds. The 9 AM debate may not have been as nice as breakfast in bed, but it allowed the students to test out the skills that they learned at the workshop. After lunch, the students reconvened with the ATM lab to talk about how the tournament rounds have been going. Some were extremely excited with the results and others were hoping to fix problems that had occurred in previous round. The afternoon concluded with the fourth tournament round, which left lots of time for the students to indulge in a long dinner. Similar to the schedule in the earlier half of the day, the evening began with lab. The students met in the sweltering basement of Bruce Hall. Each student worked on preparation for the upcoming round. Following a productive session of prep, the students had their fifth tournament round. Hopefully the ATM lab demonstrated their fabulous debate skills.

Special shout out: Take 5 is absolutely delicious. I seriously recommend that everyone take Michael's suggest and go buy one! Find a vending machine! Find a 7-11! Find a Sack-and-$ave! Just get yourself some of the pretzel, caramel, peanut, peanut butter, milk chocolate, chewy goodness!

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Pyrotechnics, Diamonds and Debate: Day Ten

Students enjoyed the most exciting and fun-filled day of camp so far.  Not only did the UNT workshop tournament begin at 9am but its also Independence Day. The ATMers had cases prepared, blocks written…all they were lacking was fresh meat for the grinder: opponents to debate.  Rounds one and two pitted labs from all walks of life in an all out battle for bragging rights (I mean for education =).  After briefly putting their newly learned and sharpened skills to the test, the ATMers and other labs were given a break to enjoy some much needed free-time.  All of the debaters at the workshop got to attend a special screening of the box office hit "Blood Diamond" (an extremely topical movie).  Although some of the ATMers were upset that they missed the last 10 minutes of the movie, hopefully that was countered by an amazing display of pyrotechnics at the UNT Stadium.  The show lasted for about 25 minutes and the finale was among the best I have ever witnessed.  Hopefully, the ATMers will get some rest and be ready to take care of business in rounds 3, 4 ad 5 tomorrow. 

Tomorrow It Begins...: Day 9

What's better than lab at 9 AM?  Nothing really, as there just really is not a better way to wake up then to see the lab leaders' beautiful faces (Nathan's most so).  In lab, students resumed the constant drilling and blocking that has been going on for days, while expanding on the theory (a.k.a. the "Dark Arts") which had previously been discussed.  Following lab, students proceeded to another set of electives, choosing between such options as Kritiks in LD Debate by Josh Anderson, Issue Selection and Time Allocation by David McGough, and Running and Answering Multiple A Priori Arguments, by Nathan Abell (clearly the best option) and Kris Wright.  After the elective, and following the subsequent lunch at Bruce/The Pita Pit, students began a string of practice rounds, with three flights running until 8:15, both before and after dinner.  Following the clear and severe owning that ATM gave the rest of the labs, students proceeded to a final lab session, where all practice rounds thus far were reviewed, and final questions answered for tomorrow.  The camp tournament begins at 9 AM, and ATM expects the close out in octofinals (even though we only have thirteen people…).

Defeating Evil, One Lab At A Time: Day 8

Today, students arose to the violently violent sounds of practice rounds at 9 AM, ready to wow judges with the skill and tact learned from their fabulous lab leaders.  After early morning rounds, continuing to fight the evil scourge that is the JB lab, we reassembled in lab to go over flows and begin drilling and blocking (no, these are not construction terms, I mean redoing rebuttals and preparing answers to common arguments).  Following the always delicious lunch at Bruce, even MORE practice rounds followed, this time squaring off against the even MORE evil KLO lab.  Following the students subsequent domination of the aforementioned lab, we came back to lab, went over old flows, prepped common arguments, and discussed various critical theories that the students were uniquely interested in.  After dinner, students attended various electives, followed by a camp wide lecture on pre-tournament preparation, of which all parents, or at least those of students writing cases at 2 AM before a tournament, know the importance.

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Practice your Fabulousness: Day 7

In accordance with Sunday sleep-in, the students of the ATM lab did not have any mandatory
activities to attend today until 1 PM. Hopefully, the kids used it visit family, fulfill religious
obligations, or just get some well-needed rest. However, after 1 PM the Mean Green Debate Workshop resumed with full force. First, the students went to the lecture of their choice. Most of the ATM lab listened to the Advanced International Relations lecture, the Crystallization lecture, or the Conditionality lecture. Following the fantastic lectures, the students experienced their first practice debate rounds at camp. The ATM lab engaged in a serious debate grudge match against the JB lab. Eric, Nathan, and I are sure that the ATM lab threw down their fabulousness on the flow. As soon as dinner was over, there was another lecture session. Now, the ATM lab are official scholars of Rawls, Nozick and Critical Race Theory. Although none of the theories were run in the demonstration debate between the ATM and JB lab, Michael and Tyler did some fabulous debating. What an awesome way to enter the second half of camp!

Defense Against the Dark Art: Theory: Day 6

The plan for the day was lab, lab and more lab.  Professors Melin, Thompson and Abell knew it would be up to them to push the students harder than ever before.  The day began with an often overlooked but crucial discussion of presentation skills.  Students learned how to apply techniques targeted specifically to help them master the art of the perceptual win.  A special shout out goes to Lara for her amazingly detailed notes (no one should have any doubt that she will be looking professional and polished at every tournament next year).  Aaron also shone like the rising star that he is by turning in the most amazing blocks (answers) to common arguments on the topic.  After returning from lunch, the ATMers enjoyed an exhilarating demonstration debate from two its own: Katie and Michael.  Upon completion of the round, the professors collaborated to demystify the Dark Art of Debate: Theory.  Two and a half hours later students left lab feeling like they could beat down the most Snape-like of theory positions.  The day wrapped up with rebuttal and flow drills.  My most honorable colleague, Professor Thompson, enlightened the students by reading her case contending that the states use of eminent domain for private enterprise destroyed the incentive for people to give gifts.  Thanks to her position, Christmas and Chanukah will still happen as scheduled this year (kids around the world rejoice).

Where Was Elliot During Library Time?: Day 5 In The Life Of ATM

Today began the exact same way every day thus far has begin: with another wonderful flow drill, pulled from the former cases of Mr. Abell! All students were thoroughly excited. Post-flow drill, Mr. Melin, Mr. Abell, and Miss Thompson gave a stunningly magnificent, if I (Mr. Abell) do say so myself, on the refutation contained in the first negative constructive speech. Then, students proceeded to read their cases to the lab, and each other lab member took turns tearing them apart, hopefully improving the case itself, refutation ability, and lowering self esteem. Shout out to the ENTIRE LAB for willingly offering to read a case and/or get up in front of everyone to tear down their labmates cases! After lunch, the lab proceeded to the library where the students learned of their new assignment: to block, or think of answers to, two affirmative and two negative arguments, and write out their answers in a specified format. That took up most of the students time in the library in the afternoon, among various case upgrades and research. Finally, the day concluded with students independently working on whatever they needed to clear up for the day, working with lab leaders waiting to be utilized in the lobby of Bruce. Practice rounds begin Sunday, so hopefully everyone in the MTA lab will be ready!!