Public Speaking prep materials

Procedures for stages 1 and 2

Procedure for stage 1

The subjects are provided in advance; participants are expected to come to the event with their speeches ready and submit the titles of their speeches before the day of the event to the organizing committee;
Participants must present original speeches, plagiarism is strictly prohibited;
The order in which participants speak will be decided by drawing lots; each participant can only have one turn;
Each participant will have the stage for 3-5 minutes;
Participants must follow the instructions of the MC, who also acts as the timekeeper;
The use of visuals and props is allowed, but should be mentioned in advance of the event along with other details on the application for for the Public Speaking Contest;
The use of prompts and note cards is allowed as long as they do not exceed the size of 10x15 cm;
The performances will be scored by 3 judges in 2 categories: Content and Delivery;
The judges’ decision is final and is not subject to appeal.

Procedure for stage 2

The contestants receive the topic of their speech immediately after passing to stage 2 of the event and have 30 minutes to prepare; the topic is the same for all of the participants;
Participants must present original speeches, plagiarism is strictly prohibited;
The order in which participants speak will be decided by drawing lots; each participant can only have one turn;
Each participant will have the stage for 3-5 minutes;
Participants must follow the instructions of the MC, who also acts as the timekeeper;
The use of visuals and props is allowed;
The use of prompts and note cards is allowed as long as they do not exceed the size of 10x15 cm;
The performances will be scored by 3 judges in 2 categories: Content and Delivery;
The judges’ decision is final and is not subject to appeal.

Below is a list of resources reviewed and approved by the organizers of the event that you can use to prepare for the Public Speaking Contest. These materials are not owned by IronMind and are shared here with full credit to the rightful owners.

Overall theme: Intelligence & Integrity

You will need to choose one of the following sub-themes for stage 1:

Junior League Topics:

Why honesty makes friendships stronger.
How small good choices can change a whole day.
Why being fair matters, even when nobody sees it.
How to stay kind and respectful online.
Why saying “I don’t know” can be the smart thing to do.
How teamwork helps us solve problems better.
What makes someone trustworthy.
Why it’s important to check facts before sharing information.
How we can use technology safely and wisely.
What being responsible online really means.
Why mistakes can make us smarter.
What it means to do the right thing when it’s difficult.
How AI tools (like ChatGPT) can help — and when they shouldn’t replace our own thinking.
Why every choice we make shows our character.
What it means to be a good digital citizen.

Senior League Topics:

Why intelligence without integrity can be harmful in modern society.
The role of ethical leadership in a digital and AI-driven world.
How critical thinking helps us resist misinformation.
Whether AI should be allowed to make moral or legal decisions.
Why values must guide innovation and technological progress.
The influence of algorithms on our behavior and choices.
The responsibility of young people in shaping the future of AI.
The danger of “smart” people who lack ethical principles.
How intellectual humility improves decision-making.
The ethics of using AI in schoolwork and creativity.
What fairness means in competitive academic environments.
The impact of digital footprints on trust and reputation.
How bias appears in both humans and AI — and why it matters.
What defines a great leader today: intelligence, empathy, or moral courage?
Balancing personal success with integrity in a high-pressure world.

DISCLAIMER: IronMind does not own any of the materials listed above nor does it claim adherence to any of the views expressed in them. The suggested materials are referenced as a source of background information and a starting point for further research into the topics. The organizers of IronMind recommend that teams review the listed articles and videos under the guidance of their teachers with a critical approach and explore additional resources related to the theme of the contest.

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