Summer 2025: High School Tech Duels
Two days. Six topics. Twelve teams. Forty-five students face off in the ultimate tech debate challenge.
June 26, 2025
NovaSci x Leidos
Innovation meets competition. Watch young minds debate the implications of generative AI, surveillance, and human bias in tech.
- Round 1 (4v4): Game DevIs Generative AI Enhancing the Storytelling and User Experience in Game Development?
- Round 2 (3v3): AI EthicsCan You Remove the Human Bias Built Into Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning?
- Round 3 (4v4): SurveillanceWould AI-Driven Surveillance Increase Passenger Safety at Airports?
June 30, 2025
NovaSci x CGI
Day two brings new challenges in healthcare, sustainability, and satellite control for our student debaters.
- Round 1 (4v4): HealthcareWill AI Improve Medical Diagnostics and Patient Care?
- Round 2 (3v3): Climate TechIs Artificial Intelligence an Environmental Culprit or a Sustainable Solution?
- Round 3 (4v4): Satellite ControlShould AI-Powered Autonomous Systems Be Given Greater Control Over Satellite Operations?
Moderators & Judges
Industry leaders and educators guiding the next generation of tech thinkers.
Gary Crum
Founder & President, LHT Ventures, LLC & Board Member Emeritus, Children’s Science Center Lab
Liza Wilson Durant, Ph.D.
Associate Provost, Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement, George Mason University & Director, Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, Nova Node
Pritha Mehra
Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President, USPS
Noelle Russell
Chief AI Officer, AI Leadership Institute & Global Responsible AI Ambassador, Global Council for Responsible AI
Tom Benedien
CEO, GT Edge AI & CCI Industry Partner Host
Obed Diaz-Rodriguez
Marketing Director, Synectics for Management Decisions & STEM Advisory Council Member, Children’s Science Center Lab
Robert “Bob” Van Hoecke
CEO & Principal, Regulatory Economics Group, LLC & Board Member, Children’s Science Center Lab
Mike Snodgrass
Customer Engineer: Applied AI, Google
Alex Fuentes
Senior Manager, STEAM and Computer Science, Fairfax County Public Schools & STEM Advisory Council Member, Children’s Science Center Lab
Wyatt Pettengill
Criminal Justice Market Lead, IDEMIA
Upcoming Events
85% of your success is due to your personality and ability to communicate, negotiate, and lead. Only 15% is due to technical knowledge.
- Carnegie Institute of Technology
About Us
Explore Tech Duels: Shaping the Future Together.
Welcome to Tech Duels
Our debates bring together the leading minds of the industry and the newest up-and-comers to learn from each other, generate better ideas, and become more confident.
We believe in bridging the gap between technical prowess and communication, offering a competitive yet fun approach to mastering essential skills. Tech Duels is where learning becomes an exciting challenge for everyone.
Our Mission
Elevating Careers through Engaging Technology Debates.
Empowering Innovation
At Tech Duels, we are dedicated to fostering a platform where technology professionals can challenge each other and grow. Our mission is to facilitate career development by providing a space where experts and newcomers alike can debate, learn, and innovate together.
Through our structured debates, participants enhance their communication skills, deepen their technical understanding, and gain the confidence needed to excel in their careers. We aim to be the go-to platform for career advancement in the tech industry, helping individuals become thought leaders and innovators.
Our Values
Elevating Careers through Engaging Technology Debates.
Communication
Sharpening verbal clarity and persuasion through structured dialogue.
Competition
Fueling growth and innovation through high-stakes, friendly debates.
Community
Building a strong network of mentors, peers, and future leaders.
Journey through our past events and get excited for what's coming up next!
All EventsHow it Works
A Glimpse into a Tech Duels Event
Event
Tech Duels features passionate participants debating technical topics in various formats, including one-on-one and team battles, competing for prizes and recognition. All debaters undergo training from our seasoned coach to refine their arguments, while judges and moderators are trained for effective evaluation and scoring.
Agenda
The debate will consist of 5 rounds. In the first round, the debaters will present their opening positions. In the second round, the debaters will offer their rebuttals. The third round will have each judge pose one question that is directed to both sides, ensuring impartiality. In the fourth round, select audience members will have the opportunity to do the same following similar guidelines. The final round is the closing statements.
Outcome
Judges are tasked to choose the winning & runner-up teams while the audience will determine the Most Valuable Debater (MVD) via live voting. The MVD is audience selected, so that individual can be on the winning team or from the runner-ups. Prizes will be awarded to participants.
Summary
Tech Duels provides an engaging platform for spirited discourse on critical technological advancements. Participants present their arguments before experts, accelerating audience learning. Through honing communication skills, Tech Duels fosters a collaborative environment, aiming to bridge the diversity gap and inspire individuals from all backgrounds to engage with and speak about technology.
Work with Us
Interested in Hosting an Unforgettable Tech Debate? Partner with Tech Duels
and Elevate the Discourse at Your Venue!
Our Partners
The Companies and Institutions Powering Tech Duels
Latest Posts
Don’t miss our exciting updates!
Importance of Communication
Clear and thoughtful communication is key to making an impact. Whether it’s in a debate or everyday discussions, we help you find clarity in your words.
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Importance of Communication
At Tech Duels, we believe that diverse perspectives lead to innovation. Let’s embrace the power of debate to grow and learn together.
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