Ethics Plate Competition

 

The Independent Education Program will be hosting an Ethics Plate competition in partnership with Timpanogos High School, in Orem, Utah. The competition will utilize the 2026-2027 NHSEB Case Set.

The competition will utilize the same rules and guidelines as the NHSEB. A guide to ethical theories, the official rules, case set, and competition details can be found below.

Coaches and advisors should plan to help judge.

Any high school team is invited to register and compete.

Registration opens Monday, November 2, 2026 and closes Thursday, December 3, 2026.

Register Your Team
Register as a Judge

Competition Details

The Wasatch Regional Ethics Plate Competition will be held at Timponogos High School. High school teams from across Utah are invited to register their own teams and compete.

Date & Times

  • Address: 1450 N 200 E, Orem, UT 84057
  • Competition Date: December 11, 2026 3-9pm
  • Check In: 3:00-3:30pm
  • Round 1: 3:30-5:00pm
  • Round 2: 5:00-6:30pm
  • Dinner: 6:30-7:00pm
    • Pizza will be available at $2/slice
  • Round 3: 7:00-8:30pm
  • Awards: 8:30-9:00pm

Resources Links

2026-2027 Regional Case Set (Provided by the NHSEB)

Cases for this competition (All Cases not listed have been excluded for this competition):

  • Freedom Hill And Higher Ground
  • Biting Back
  • The Man Who Never Was
  • A Generational Deal
  • Papal Authority
  • For The Love Of Timmy
  • Our Best Baby
  • United We School
  • A Sacred Divide
  • A Grade By Any Other Name
  • Face Off
  • Playing It Safe

Official Rules (Provided by the NHSEB)

Guide to Ethical Theories (Provided by UVU)

Register Your Team

What is an Ethics Bowl?

An Ethics Bowl competition differs from debate events in that teams focus on developing ethically sound positions on real-world issues (called "cases").

The goal is to create a thoroughly considered stance on the provided cases, not to be "right" in an argument.

In each Ethics Bowl round, opposing teams take turns analyzing different ethical dilemmas, allowing teams to take whatever stance they think is the most reasonable.

"Ethics Bowls are competitive yet collaborative events in which students discuss real-life ethical issues. In each round of competition, teams take turns analyzing cases about complex ethical dilemmas and responding to questions and comments from the other team and from a panel of judges." (NHSEB)

How Does an Ethics Bowl Work?

How Does an Ethics Bowl Work?

Preparing for the Competition

Prior to the date of the competition, a set of cases are released. Each of these cases deals with real-world ethical issues. Teams will prepare positions on each of the cases. The positions that teams prepare should be considerate of multiple viewpoints, logically sound, and ethically robust.

Competing

Each round of competition is separated into two halves, one for each team competing. In each half, there is a presenting team and a commenting team:

  • First Half: Team A presents, Team B comments
  • Second Half: Team B presents, Team A comments

During each half, there are five sections, referred to as "periods."

  1. Moderator Period (~3 Minutes): The moderator introduce one of the cases that students have studied and prepared positions on. The moderator will ask a question, which the presenting team will speak on.
  2. Presentation Period (2 Minute Conferral, 5-6 Minute Presentation): The presenting team will have two minutes to determine how they will answer the question, as well as who on the team will present the different parts of their argument. Then, they will have 5-6 minutes to present their answer.
  3. Commentary Period (2 Minute Conferral, 3 Minute Commentary): The commenting team will have two minutes to discuss areas of weakness in the presenting team's position. Then they will have three minutes to comment on and ask questions of the presenting team's arguments.
  4. Response Period (2 Minute Conferral, 3 Minute Response): The presenting team will have up to two minutes to discuss the challenges and questions from the commenting team. They then have three minutes for a response.
  5. Judges Period (10 Minutes for Q&A): The judges can then take 10 minutes to ask questions of the presenting team. How long the team has to respond to those questions is up to the judges.

Once all five periods are complete, the teams switch roles, and the Team B is given a different case with a different question to present on. By the end of the round, each team has presented and commented.

This format allows teams to compete without debating. The goal of the presenting team is to create a solid argument around their answer to a question, with as few weaknesses as possible. The goal of the commenting team is to identify weaknesses in the presenting team's argument, but not to present an argument of their own.