STEPHEN RAU'S 12TH GRADE GOVERNMENT CLASS had their debating skills put to the test as they challenged each other's thinking and practiced how to defend a position. 

Convening on HSFI's fifth floor veranda, fast-paced lively discussions were prompted with politically timely, socially sensitive and highly controversial statements that students made one at a time. Each took a turn to stand on a concrete bench that served as both a podium and launching pad sparking all kinds of reactions.

Students were not required to agree with their own statement, but rather be cognizant of a question's value as a hot topic for argument and capable of igniting strong views on all sides. 

Once hearing the statement, students reacted by moving left, right, or center, representing locations groups that agree, disagree or are neutral.

CELL PHONES ARE ADDICTING was the first statement opening up the forum by Mr. Rau.

TECHNOLOGY MAKES SOCIETY MORE SOCIAL. As positions were hesitantly formed, Mr. Rau challenged his students with, "What's the definition of social? When four people sitting in a restaurant all together are independently on their phones, is that social?"

The statement that generated the strongest position responses on all sides was:

TRANS MEN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

DISAGREE: "Men play most of the sports. They  have more popularity. And men are stronger than women. Women don't have enough recognition."

Rather than NEUTRAL, there was a CONDITIONAL response. "It depends. Not everyone agrees on the gender role, but it's sports, and and everyone should be allowed to play a sport. It depends on what sport and what part of their bodies have been altered, and if there's physical contact." Distinctions were made, citing men should not be allowed in women's wrestling, for example, but should be allowed in women's golf. 

AGREE: "In today's sports standards, they should be allowed. There's a lot of thought put into this. There are so many regulations already. When those regulations are met, at what point are you allowed to play?  I think if you meet the requirements, you should be able to play, no matter what  you were born as."

Mr. Rau was pleased that this particular statement was raised, and connected it back to his Government class. "This was an important topic, as it was an election topic. This came up in the election. People were deciding on that."