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Craft an argument and practice public speaking in this three-week speaking and debate course for elementary school students on Bryn Mawr College’s campus.
Course Description
An idea you care about deserves more than “because I said so.” Good reasons and a clear voice give it a chance to be heard.
In this course your child will choose a topic that matters to them and build a persuasive argument. They’ll decide what listeners should understand, organize their reasons, and prepare a speech. Public-speaking simulations let them try it aloud, hear feedback, and make the message clearer.
Debate adds someone else’s point of view. Your child will listen to an opposing argument and work out a reasoned response, including when people disagree. Questions become a chance to strengthen their thinking. They’ll prepare a persuasive speech and practice a structured debate, learning to make a point while taking other people’s ideas seriously.
This three-week course for elementary school students is part of Summer Discovery’s Institute for the Gifted program on Bryn Mawr College’s campus in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The course is available to commuter students.
What You Will Do
• Choose a topic and the point you want heard
• Build a persuasive argument with clear supporting reasons
• Prepare a speech for a particular audience
• Try your speech in public-speaking simulations
• Respond to an opposing viewpoint in a debate
• Revise your message using questions and feedback
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Support a clear opinion with reasons an audience can follow
• Adapt an explanation to help an audience understand the point
• Respond to a different viewpoint with careful listening and reasoning
You’ll leave with your prepared persuasive speech and a certificate of completion.
Why Public Speaking Skills Matter
A good argument starts with deciding what matters and explaining why. Organizing reasons helps children make an idea easier to follow, whether they’re giving a presentation or contributing to a group project.
Debate adds the challenge of understanding another person before answering. Listening closely and responding with reasons can help a conversation move forward when people disagree. Practice gives children something concrete to draw on the next time they want to speak up.
Who Should Attend?
For students who have completed 4th or 5th grade.
Some children love having the floor; others have plenty to say but want practice saying it aloud. This course welcomes both. If your child enjoys asking questions, sharing opinions, or finding a better way to explain an idea, speaking and debate give them room to try. They’ll practice with an audience and use feedback to make their message stronger.
Institute for the Gifted eligibility requirements apply; see the program FAQ.
Your Summer at Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr gives elementary students a welcoming place to spend the day learning, creating, and meeting new friends. Its historic, tree-lined setting near Philadelphia makes a summer class feel special and academically structured while remaining close enough for students to return home each afternoon.
The commuter-day format combines hands-on academics with a clear daily routine and shared activities throughout the program day. Students can try something new, build confidence through participation, and enjoy the fun of learning on a college campus without an overnight stay. For families, Bryn Mawr offers a thoughtful balance of creativity, academic challenge, friendship, and age-appropriate independence in a structured day-program environment.
Summer Discovery Certificate of Completion
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification of completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive