Programs Offered

IDEA utilizes a community cohort model to create, establish and grow partnerships and networks of support. Community cohorts are created by community members that are interested in creating access to speech and debate education. Cohorts receive curriculum, training and administrative support from IDEA but are driven by the interest and needs of the community. Cohorts inform the services provided in communities based on resource availability and overall interest.

Student Training Programs:

IDEA is committed to using speech and debate education as a conduit for constructive dialogue, civil discourse and engagement. Programs are based on Community Cohort needs. Starting Fall 2024!

  • Conversational Oriented Training – (G4 & Up) cohorts with younger students will prioritize collaborative dialogues and techniques. Students will be encouraged to critically analyze and consider different perspectives. IDEA Interchanges will be held quarterly to allow students to build community, meet other speech enthusiasts and to earn recognition for their participation in the Cohort. 
  • Competition Oriented Training – (G6 & Up) cohorts with students preparing to enter secondary school will prioritize critical thinking, logical reasoning and argument formation.  IDEA Interchanges will be held quarterly to allow students to build community, meet other speech enthusiasts and to earn recognition for their participation in the Cohort.
  • Career Oriented Training – (G8 & Up) cohorts with secondary students will prioritize business, strategic and professional communication. IDEA Interchanges will be held quarterly to allow students to build community, meet other speech enthusiasts and to earn recognition for their participation in the Cohort.

Debate Inspired Training Programs:

IDEA is committed to using speech and debate education to revitalize education and spark intrinsic motivation. Programs are based on the Tier of Training.

  • Curriculum Cohort – teacher cohorts at a school work with our experienced educators and facilitators to transform the curriculum into a more engaging dialectic model. Cohorts will work for a total of twenty (20) hours in an academic year together to develop, integrate, revise and review the curriculum.
  • Campus Cohort – Campus cohorts work with our team to integrate speech and debate training in the classroom, as an activity and part of the culture of the school. This is a year commitment that includes training, team building support, teacher Pro-D and two (2) end of the term tournaments per academic year. 
  • District Cohort – Pro-D cohorts work with facilitators to review techniques and strategies to enhance interest and student engagement. Two (2) Pro-D scheduled events will be made available in districts with at least four (4) cohorts. 
  • DIT Certifications – IDEA will provide training to coaches, teachers, judges and students that participate in programming. Certification of completion and distinctions will be awarded to participants that qualify.

Tournament Opportunities

  • IDEA Interchange – Interchange is a collaborative event that allows students from all cohorts to participate in friendly competition. Ranging from ethics bowls, hackathons, case competitions and/or competitive debate formats students will have the opportunity to experience community and networking through Metro-Vancouver.