High School Ethics Bowl Scrimmage Builds Skills, Connections, Community

Erika Cooperman

On September 19, in Howard Tilton Memorial Library, The Murphy Institute's Center for Ethics hosted nearly 30 Tulane students, faculty members and students from Bard Early College for a High School Ethics Bowl scrimmage as part of its Tulane University Ethics Bowl Program (TUEB). The event offered participants an opportunity to engage with challenging ethical questions while strengthening skills in critical thinking, civil discourse, and collaborative problem-solving.

Throughout the day, high school students presented and discussed cases focused on issues particularly relevant to Louisiana and the Deep South, including the ethics of plantation weddings, the naming of Hebert Hall at Tulane, NIL regulations for LSU athletes and petrochemical pollution in Cancer Alley. 

Tulane service learners from CE Director Chad Van Schoelandt's course on Applied Ethics and Civil Discourse served as judges, moderators and coaches. Rather than emphasizing competition alone, the scrimmage focused on providing constructive feedback to help students strengthen their reasoning, communication, and public speaking skills. 

Events like these do more than prepare students for competition. They create meaningful connections between local schools, introduce students to the college experience, and demonstrate the value of respectful dialogue across differing perspectives. Participants described the scrimmage as both engaging and rewarding, leaving with greater confidence and new ideas to bring back to their teams. Ethics Bowl interns and service learners have already begun incorporating judges' feedback into weekly coaching sessions with participating schools. 

Looking Ahead 

The Murphy Institute will host another High School Ethics Bowl scrimmage on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in the basement of Howard Tilton Memorial Library, followed by the Louisiana Regional High School Ethics Bowl Competition on January 16, 2027. These events provide students with valuable opportunities to practice ethical inquiry and prepare for regional and national competition. 

Volunteer Opportunity 

Faculty members and graduate students are invited to support the October 24 scrimmage by serving as: 

  • Judges, who provide feedback and score team presentations 
  • Moderators, who facilitate discussion and guide each round 
  • Floaters, who assist with logistics and participant support throughout the day 

Whether you can participate for a few hours or the full day, your involvement helps create a meaningful experience for students. No prior Ethics Bowl experience is required, and volunteers will receive training before the event. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Interested in Volunteering? 

Email Mary Ochiai, Ethics Bowl Intern, at mochiai@tulane.edu by October 20 with your name, preferred role and availability (morning, afternoon or all day). Community members are also welcome to observe a round, and we encourage readers to share this opportunity with colleagues who may be interested.