Debate 2, April 03, 2008

Panel members:
Chris Torrez
Deanna Bonjione
Jennifer Schotzko
Tara Khozein
William Risher

Audience: come prepared with questions.

Topic:  Exploring for life in the solar system and beyond.

Possible subjects:

Will we find life on other planets in solar system?

Will it be life as we know it on Earth or totally different?

What are the best ways to go about this search: manned missions? Robotic missions? Sample return missions?

Is it worth exploring this issue, even if we already know there is no advanced life outside Earth in solar system?

Is it worth spending our money on this type of research?  Should we spend more research dollars on  searching for extra-solar planets to find Earth's analogs, or on searching for life elsewhere in the solar system?

Panel members will prepare a half-to-one page statement on one or two of these issues that they will read to the audience to stimulate discussion of these topics. Audience members will take part in the discussion by asking questions and advocating their views.

Instructor will moderate discussion and try to stop Roswell officials from taking over the class room.