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Craft an argument and practice public speaking in this 3-week program for elementary school students on Fairfield University’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 Fairfield University’s campus. 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 Fairfield University
Fairfield gives elementary students a fun and welcoming first taste of campus life in a coastal Connecticut town along Long Island Sound. The day includes hands-on classes, outdoor courtyard time, shared meals, and opportunities to make friends in a setting that feels active without feeling overwhelming.
The commuter-only Institute for the Gifted has operated at Fairfield for more than two decades. Students try new challenges and build confidence within a clear, structured program day. For families, Fairfield offers an age-appropriate combination of learning, creativity, friendship, routine, and support. Students get the fun of a summer program and the satisfaction of discovering what they can make, solve, and explore next.
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