A different kind of debate at a different kind of place
The Summer High School Ethics Bowl is a national competition hosted by the Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University. Teams from across the country will compete in our first ever virtual ethics bowl invitational. Your team is eligible to compete if you placed first through fourth in your regional competition. Contact Leslie Petiniot (lesliepetiniot@depauw.edu) with questions.
Important Competition Information and Links
- Match-up Schedule
The match-up schedule contains a competition schedule, team match-up information, and links to the appropriate Zoom rooms.
- Spectator Resource Guide
This resource guide contains helpful links and information for spectators. Coaches and assistants, please use the resource guide linked in your email.
- Case set
Download or view the 2021 Summer High School Ethics Bowl case set here.
Friday, June 25 (all times are ET) – Preliminary Rounds
| 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. | Optional Virtual Campus Tour |
| 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Check-in |
| 5:05 – 5:20 p.m. | Welcome |
| 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. | Round 1 |
| 7:25 – 8:40 p.m. | Round 2 |
| 8:50 – 10:05 p.m. | Round 3 |
| 10:15 p.m. | Finalists Announced |
Saturday, June 26
| 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Check-in |
| 10:35 – 11:50 a.m. | Quarter-Final Rounds |
| 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. | Semi-Final Rounds |
| 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:20 – 3:35 p.m. | Final Round |
| 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. | Optional Virtual Campus Tour |
Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions
Please check this page frequently for the latest information, helpful hints and updates. We will add an event schedule after registration closes.
What are the dates for the 2021 Summer High School Ethics Bowl Invitational?
Friday & Saturday, June 25 – 26, 2021.
Will this be an in-person or virtual event?
Virtual. DePauw University is very cautious about inviting people to campus at this time.
Who is qualified to compete?
Ethics bowl teams from high schools that finish 1st – 4th in their 2020-2021 regional bowls are eligible to attend. On April 15, 2021, if we have not had more than ten (10) schools register, we will open the registration to 5th- and 6th-place finishers from large bowls.
Graduating seniors are not allowed to compete in the Summer High School Ethics Bowl competition. Rising freshman are allowed to compete on the team.
Most of my team were graduating seniors. Can I replace them with new team members?
Yes. Schools are free to have students participate who were not on the original regional team. We encourage schools to replace graduated seniors with new members and think of this as a rebuilding and training opportunity for their teams.
Is there a cost to register my team?
There is not a monetary cost to register your team. Participating schools must commit to bringing an adult coach and at least two more adults to serve as a judge/moderator for the competition. A virtual training session will be required for those serving as a judge/moderator. If your school brings more than one team, you must provide two additional people that are willing to be both a judge or moderator for each team. You must identify these two people when you register your team.
When will team registration open?
The registration window will open on March 15, 2021, and close on May 15, 2021.
Can I register more than one team that meets the qualification requirements?
Yes. If your school brings more than one team, you must provide two additional people that are willing to be both a judge or a moderator for each team. You must identify these two people upon registration.
When will the case set be released?
The case set will be released no later than March 26, 2021.
Where can I find the team registration form?
Registration is now closed.
How many teams will be competing in this event?
Registration will be capped at twenty (20) teams.
When is the participant paperwork due for individual participants and coaches?
Each participant (including the two judge/moderators) must complete their registration on or before June 1, 2021.
Will the virtual competition use NHSEBOne?
No. The Prindle Institute will be using its own Zoom-based platform.
Can my team all be present in the same room using the same device to compete?
To reduce feedback issues, we prefer and recommend that each student be logged into their own device and in their own space the day of the bowl.
Will there be a tech check-in prior to the competition for teams to make certain their devices will work with the platform?
Yes. We will be offering a technical check-in for teams on June 21 and June 24, 2021, at 4 p.m. ET. We are requesting, at minimum, that each coach log onto one of these testing sessions using the device they will use the day of the competition. We strongly recommended that each of your students participate if they are able. We will not need the entire hour, so just log on when you’re able during the 4-5 p.m. ET block. No registration is required. A Zoom link will be provided at a later date.
Will teams receive a travel stipend/reimbursement this year?
The competition is strictly virtual, so the Prindle Institute will not provide schools with travel reimbursement in 2021.
I am not a part of a team. However, I would like to assist with the event. Is that possible?
Fill out the event assistant registration form.
When is the assistant (judge/moderator) registration due?
All assistants must register no later than May 15, 2021.
Where can I find the assistant (judge/moderator) registration form?
Registration will open on March 15, 2021. Please visit the assistant registration and resource page to register.
Will there be assistant (judge/moderator) training?
Yes, there is a required training session. You will choose a training date/time when you complete your registration form.
June 7, 2021, at 4 p.m. ET
June 9, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. ET
Whom should I contact with questions?
Please contact Leslie Petiniot at lesliepetiniot@depauw.edu with any questions.
Ethics Bowl Assistant Registration
Interested in judging, moderating or helping out at our virtual Summer High School Ethics Bowl? Fill out the form on our assistant’s page and we’ll be in touch with you shortly!