Intellectual improvisation, critical thinking and developing an argument are all key skills for success for resolving ethical conflicts. They’re also important elements in the new BC curriculum, which is why an SFU-based initiative brought volunteer mentors and high school students together in BC’s first Ethics Bowl. Under the guidance of SFU Philosophy professor Nic Fillion, academic philosophers and MA students coached five high school teams in a series of ethical case studies. Fillion describes the competition as similar but more constructive than traditional debate clubs. Instead of winning by skilled opposition, Ethics Bowl encourages dialogue and collaboration—useful skills for global citizens in the 21st century.

Following BC’s first regional heats held earlier this month, Sands Secondary (Delta) and Ideal Mini School (Vancouver) joined eight more experienced Manitoba teams at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg for Canada’s first national Ethics Bowl. 

Preparation for the national Ethics Bowl and its regional heats started early this year as part of an SFU-based initiative to bring critical thinking resources to provincial educators. Fillion coordinated volunteers from university and college philosophy programs at SFU, Douglas College, Toronto, Fraser International College and the University of British Columbia to mentor the high school teams and their teachers. Training involved preparing for ten case studies, tackling ethical issues such as the post-human ethics of banning performance-enhancing implantable devices, and regulating fake news without restraining press freedom.

Five BC high school teams took part in the day-long regional heats on April 13 at SFU Burnaby. Each team faced off against the others in a round-robin format in front of judges. Judges scored according to initial case study presentation, points raised and responses given. According to Fillion, scoring was extremely close and the competition needed a tie breaker to decide the semi finalists. In their fifth hour of competition, and despite one judge giving a tie, Sands Secondary won, beating Ideal Mini School into second place.

Although neither Sands nor Ideal advanced to the semi-finals of the national competition, Fillion is already planning the second year of BC Ethics Bowl to refine their skills. Manitoba should watch out as BC is coming for the title next year.