ULAB 3162

BALLOON DEBATE

Situation:
You are a prominent figure from history or today. You are riding a hot air balloon with 4 other prominent
figures in the world. While you are up in the sky, the balloon you are riding in faces a mechanical
problem and begins to slowly fall. There is no safe landing area as you are flying across the open sea.
Your group needs to prevent the entire balloon from crashing and save at least one life. However, if there
is only one survivor in the balloon, it can fly for another 4 kilometers and land safely on the nearest shore.
However, in order to do that, the other members in the group must be sacrificed and be thrown out of the
balloon.
You all have decided to hold a debate to determine who among you shall live and who shall be thrown out
of the hot air balloon. You need to convince the jury that you are the most important person and have the
greatest impact on the society; and therefore should remain in the balloon.
Task:
1) 4 -5 Balloon Debaters
a. Choose a figure that you wish to role play. Search information about this person i.e. his/her values,
contributions to the world, weaknesses etc. You also need to search information about other figures
chosen by your classmates so that you know their strengths and weaknesses.
b. Present your arguments on why should remain in the hot air balloon. (Please refer to the Procedure of
Balloon Debate handout.)
2) Class
You will act as the jury or executioners.
Listen to the arguments given by each member in the hot air balloon. Decide who should be thrown out of
the balloon. Your decision should be based on the person:
a. who presented the least persuasive and engaging speech
b. who fail to demonstrate his/her worthiness to the society.