A public debate competition at the Gwyddonle
For the past six years the Morgan Institute Challenge has been one of the main attractions of the GwyddonLe stage, the Urdd National Eisteddfod’s Science Pavilion. Swansea University sponsors and hosts activities at the GwyddonLe and the Challenge is a public speaking competition for school pupils between years 10 and 13. The Challenge is sponsored by the Morgan Advanced Studies Institute at Swansea University which focuses on transformative interdisciplinary research.
This year, Professor Trystan Watson from Swansea University's School of Engineering, had the privilege of setting the discussion topic, "A Carbon Free Future for Wales: Dream or Reality?". Professor Watson was also present to judge the competition along with fellow judge Heledd Siôn, who is a journalist with the BBC Radio Cymru news team.
Three schools competed on the day with two representatives from each presenting arguments for and against the topic. Esther Harper from Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera opened the competition speaking in favour of a carbon-free future for Wales and then Callie Davies from Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Tawe presented the arguments against. After the judges had the opportunity to ask them a question, it was Bryn Geary's turn from Ysgol Gwent Is Coed to persuade the audience that a carbon-free future is possible, and Amelia Sivertsen from Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera argued against. Closing the competition, Hari James, Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Tawe, presented his speech in favour of the topic and Callum Ford, Ysgol Gwent Is Coed, had the last word against him.
The six contestants showed great reasoning and debating skills and answered the judges' questions skilfully and confidently. It was a very difficult task for the judges to choose the best, stating that the competition was extremely close. However, Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera was triumphant as Amelia won Best Speaker Against and Esther Best Speaker in Favour of the Topic. They also won a prize of £500 for the school, and Esther was judged the overall Winner of the Challenge and therefore won the 2024 Morgan Institute Challenge trophy.
Professor Trystan Watson said, "It was a pleasure to be part of the Morgan Institute Challenge this year. The standard of the competition was so high and the passion the competitors had for the subject was obvious, it was not an easy decision for us as judges! All the young people presented their arguments intelligently and clearly and had researched the topic and conveyed the information extremely eloquently. Heledd and I were astounded by the six competitors. Each one has a bright future ahead.”
