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Ty Stark
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E-Mail: ty@nef1.org

2007 Utah Debate Program Conference
Students debate on renewable energy

Salt Lake City, UT- On Saturday January 27th teachers and students will meet to prepare for the 2007 Utah Debate Program. Over 500 students and teachers from fourth through ninth grades will meet at Mount Jordan Middle School to hear experts and professionals speak about renewable and sustainable energy resources in preparation for this year's Debate program. Participants in this year’s conference represent some of the expected 10,000 Utah students preparing to research and debate this year’s resolutions.

Policy Resolution: “RESOLVED: THAT THE STATE OF UTAH SHOULD DEVELOP A CONMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES.”

Lincoln-Douglas Resolution: “RESOLVED: THE INCREASED USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES WITHIN THE STATE OF UTAH MUST TAKE PRIORITY OVER ECONOMIC CONCERNS.”

This year’s conference begins with a keynote address by Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. Students will then break into individual sessions lead by experts in the field, including: Beverly Miller, Director, Utah Clean Cities, Donovan Brunner, Sound Geothermal Corporation, Brandon Smart, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Graydon Blair, Utah Biodiesel Supply, Orrin Farnsworth, AEE Solar, and Erika Richards, American Lung Association of Utah.

Teachers and students will learn about debate policy and techniques as well as receive valuable information regarding renewable energy resources. At the conclusion of the conference, participants will take their recently obtained information and share it with hundreds of debaters at their respective schools. Students will then prepare their arguments; whether they are in support of or against the debate resolutions. They will also have the opportunity to compete within their schools, districts and at the April 2007 final State Debate Competition.

Three teacher awards will also be presented at this year's conference. The Carol Lynn Ross Award, in honor of a debate teacher who passed away, will be given to Kayron Lewis of Washington School District, Camille Gambles from Granite School District and Carol Day from Nebo School District for their service and excellence as debate coaches.

The school districts participating in the 2007 Utah Debate Conference are Beaver, Cache, Granite, Jordan, Logan, Murray, Nebo, Park City, Salt Lake, Tooele, and Washington.

EVENT SCHEDULE

2007 Utah Debate Program Conference
Saturday January 27th, 2007
Mount Jordan Middle School
9360 South 300 East

Opening Session: 8:30 – 9:30
• Keynote Speaker: Peter Corroon
• Mock Debate: Morningside Elementary

Breakout Sessions: 9:35 – 12:00

Marketplace: 10:35 – 12:00

The Utah Debate Program is in its 17th consecutive year under leadership of the National Energy Foundation. Additional sponsorship is provided by the Utah State Energy Program, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, and Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation. Students from all over the state have been invited to participate in the voluntary curriculum tool which provides an outstanding avenue for development. The program promotes students thinking, reading, writing, listening, and decision-making as well as public speaking skills. For more information on the Utah Debate program and it's sponsors, please visit www.nef1.org/debate.

National Energy Foundation is a unique 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and cultivating an energy literate society through educational programs. NEF recognizes the importance and contribution of natural resources to our economy, national security, environment and quality of life. Visit www.nef1.org to find out more about NEF.

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