Q: Is there a fee-support form?

A fee-support form exists at Scholarships . If you are exploring how to fund participation, that is the place to find it. You can also use Fund Your Team when planning a school funding request. Gather your team details and discuss the plan with the adult coordinating participation before completing any forms.

Question 1

What happens in an Ethics Olympiad or TKEthics round?

Accepted Answer

Students discuss an ethical case and explain their answer to a question about it. One team presents, the other offers comments, and the presenting team responds and answers judges’ questions. The teams then switch roles for another case. See our competition rules for the full sequence and timings.

Question 2

How does scoring work?

Accepted Answer

Judges assess the quality of students’ reasoning, their engagement with other views, their responses and their respectful dialogue. Teams can agree. Thoughtful questions and fair treatment of another argument matter. The aim is a collaborative discussion of the case. Our competition rules explain the scoring categories and points.

Question 3

How many students can join a team, and what ages can enter?

Accepted Answer

Ethics Olympiad and TKEthics teams have three to five students. Age ranges depend on the event. The Middle School Pan Atlantic Ethics Olympiad is for ages 11–14. The TKEthics Spring Invitational is for ages 13–18. Check the event’s eligibility details before choosing your team, especially if students span different school years.

Question 4

How do online events run?

Accepted Answer

Teams join online through Zoom. Before the event, plan a quiet space, a reliable internet connection and a setup where students can hear and be heard clearly. Test the camera and microphone together. Follow the event’s joining instructions and schedule, and make sure everyone knows where to find them on the day.

Question 5

How should we check the event time in our time zone?

Accepted Answer

Start with the time zone stated in the event schedule, then convert it for the event date. Daylight saving changes can alter the difference between countries. Share the local date, start time and expected finish with students and families. Use our event calendar to find the relevant event details.

Question 6

Who are the judges, and what do they do?

Accepted Answer

Our judges are paid philosophers at PhD level. A judge listens to the discussion, asks questions, assesses the team’s reasoning and gives feedback. Students should expect to explain why they hold a view and consider objections. Preparing for that conversation can be as simple as practising clear answers to “Why?” and “What if?”

Question 7

How can we prepare using the free resources?

Accepted Answer

Start with the free case sets and teacher materials at Resources. Read a case together, identify who is affected and compare possible responses. Ask students to give reasons, consider an objection and revise their answer if needed. Then practise a short discussion with another group. Use the event’s assigned cases when preparing for that tournament.

Question 8

Do I need a philosophy background to coach a team?

Accepted Answer

You can begin by helping students read carefully, ask useful questions and explain their reasons. Try one case together before planning a full practice session. Our free teacher resources give you a starting point. If you would like more guidance, explore coaching and classes and choose support that fits your group’s experience.

Question 9

Which upcoming event should our school consider?

Accepted Answer

The online Middle School Pan Atlantic Ethics Olympiad takes place on Saturday 14 November 2026 for ages 11–14. Spring options include the online TKEthics Spring Invitational on Saturday 6 March 2027, the online Senior European Ethics Olympiad on 18 March 2027, and the online Senior Pan American Ethics Olympiad on Saturday 3 April 2027 for high school teams. See the event calendar.

Question 10

Is there a fee-support form?

Accepted Answer

A fee-support form exists at Scholarships. If you are exploring how to fund participation, that is the place to find it. You can also use Fund Your Team when planning a school funding request. Gather your team details and discuss the plan with the adult coordinating participation before completing any forms.

Question 11

How can we raise funds for a team?

Accepted Answer

Use Fund Your Team as a starting point. Consider asking your school’s activities lead, parent association or a local sponsor about support. Explain which event the team wants to attend, who will coordinate it and what students will practise. Agree who will handle requests and payments, and follow your school’s rules for fundraising.

Question 12

What are the Global AI Debates, and how can students enter?

Accepted Answer

For the Global AI Debates, students submit a recorded speech or a team essay on AI ethics by 14 November 2026. This year’s motion is “AIs should be granted the rights of legal persons.” Live online finals take place on 5 December, with a US$3,500 prize pool. Visit the website for entry instructions and format requirements.

Question 13

What will my child practise through these events?

Accepted Answer

Students practise explaining an idea, giving reasons, listening closely and responding to questions. Ethical cases also ask them to consider how a decision affects different people. You can support preparation by asking your child to explain a case in everyday language, then describe a reasonable objection to their own view. Our resources offer a place to begin.

Question 14

Which event fits my child’s age?

Accepted Answer

The Middle School Pan Atlantic Ethics Olympiad on Saturday 14 November 2026 is for ages 11–14. The TKEthics Spring Invitational on Saturday 6 March 2027 is for ages 13–18, in teams of three to five. Both are online. Check the chosen event’s eligibility and participation requirements with the teacher or coach coordinating your child’s entry.

Question 15

My child is interested but has no school team. Where should we start?

Accepted Answer

Ask whether a teacher or club leader could help bring a team together. You can also contact MPI to ask about participation options for a student without a school team. Include your child’s age, time zone and event of interest. Please confirm the available arrangements before making plans around a particular event.

Question 16

What does my child need for an online event?

Accepted Answer

Plan access to Zoom, a stable internet connection and a quiet place to take part. Check sound and camera settings before the day. Coordinate the setup with the team’s teacher or coach, including how students will join and communicate. Keep the event schedule handy, and leave time beforehand to resolve any connection problems.

Question 17

How much preparation should we plan?

Accepted Answer

A useful starting point is a regular, manageable practice session. Read one case, discuss possible answers and ask your child to explain their reasoning aloud. Build towards practice with teammates as the event approaches. The right amount depends on experience and school commitments. Use the free resources to plan sessions with the teacher or coach.

Question 18

How can I help without taking over?

Accepted Answer

Ask open questions during preparation: who is affected, what matters here, and what might someone disagree with? Give your child time to work out an answer. Encourage them to explain uncertainty as well as conviction. During an event heat, parents must not communicate with the team. Read the competition rules before the day.

Question 19

Where can our family find information about fee support?

Accepted Answer

A fee-support form exists at Scholarships. If your child is joining through a school, discuss the process with the teacher coordinating the team. For ideas about organising funding, visit Fund Your Team. It helps to agree who will complete forms and manage the team’s arrangements before anyone submits a request.

Question 20

Does MPI offer coaching or classes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Visit Coaching and Classes to explore MPI’s teaching options. When considering support, think about your child’s experience, interests and schedule, and whether they want help individually or with a team. You can also begin with the free resources and discuss which parts of preparation would benefit from more guidance.

Question 21

What if I am new to ethics or nervous about speaking?

Accepted Answer

Start with one case and one question you care about. Explain your answer to a friend, then ask them what needs more explanation. Practising in a small group can make speaking feel more familiar. You do not need to fill your answer with technical terms. Aim to make your reasons clear enough for someone else to follow.

Question 22

Do we have to disagree with the other team?

Accepted Answer

Teams may agree and can still have a useful discussion. Look for questions worth exploring together: does a reason apply in every case, or would a different fact change the answer? During practice, try identifying a point you accept before raising a question. That helps you respond to what someone actually said.

Question 23

How should our team divide the preparation?

Accepted Answer

Try giving each teammate a different task for the same case: explain the dilemma, identify affected people, suggest an answer or develop an objection. Then compare notes so everyone understands the whole discussion. Rotate tasks during practice. This helps you notice gaps and gives each person experience with more than one part of the argument.

Question 24

What if a judge asks something I cannot answer?

Accepted Answer

Take a moment to think and ask for clarification if you need it. You can explain what makes the question difficult or identify a fact that would affect your answer. In practice, ask teammates questions you have not prepared in advance. Focus on giving a reasoned response and being clear about what you are unsure of.

Question 25

Where can I find cases to practise with?

Accepted Answer

Visit our free Resources page for case sets and preparation materials. Choose a case, write down the main ethical question and list two possible answers. Give a reason for each, then decide which seems stronger and why. Discuss it with a teammate and see whether their questions change your thinking.

Question 26

Can I enter the Global AI Debates with a speech or an essay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Global AI Debates accepts a recorded speech or a team essay on AI ethics, due by 14 November 2026. The motion is “AIs should be granted the rights of legal persons.” Live online finals are on 5 December, and the prize pool is US$3,500. Check the website’s format requirements before recording or writing your entry.

Question 27

What is the Case Prize?

Accepted Answer

The Case Prize is a student case-writing competition, with the next round in spring 2027. A case gives readers an ethical situation to think through and discuss. To practise, choose a decision where there are serious reasons for more than one response. Visit the case competition page for information and check the next round’s requirements before submitting.

Question 28

How do I take the next step?

Accepted Answer

Choose an event that fits your age and schedule using the event calendar, then discuss it with a teacher, coach or parent. For a team event, start finding teammates and set a first practice date. If you want guided preparation, explore coaching and classes. You can start reading the free cases while arranging the rest.

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