Ethics Olympiad

On 7 May, two Oxley senior teams competed in the Ethics Olympiad competition. The competition is a way for students to develop critical thinking skills. collaboration and communication. The Ethics Olympiad encourages collaborative reasoning, rather than traditional debates where teams argue opposing sides. This means that students work together to come up with the best ethical solutions to complex ethical issues. We prepared for the Ethics Olympiad as we received up to eight ethical cases in advance to study, write responses, and explore various perspectives. No notes are allowed on the day.

Over 400 teams from different schools are connected using Zoom to compete. Out of the eight cases offered, one is chosen at random for each round; we were then given time to prepare. The first team makes the initial presentation of their case. While the other team listens, poses questions, and offers their own perspectives, the first team then improves their position by adding fresh viewpoints and strengthening their arguments considering the conversation. The Olympiad encourages polite conversation, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking.

It was a great opportunity to think about ethical dilemmas and consider different viewpoints on topics such as privacy and how apps collect data, curfews for teenagers and the issues around AI. Everyone collaborated in the two teams, and we were all able to contribute and express our opinions in a respectful and insightful way.

Congratulations to Oxley Team Teal, consisting of Flynn O’B, Chloe D, Lucy A and Liam H, who were awarded the bronze medal, and to Oxley Team Blue, consisting of Chloe S, Maya R, Oscar M, Sophie C and Kaitlyn S (all Year 11), who received an honourable mention.

Lucy A & Chloe S, Year 11