Kitchen of Controversy

Yes

By: Miranda Parr, 8th

From an objective point of view, using artificial intelligence as teachers could resolve many issues currently faced by the field. For instance, the issues of personalized learning and education funding could both be reduced by using AI as teacher-like figures. 

AI as teachers could lead to a level of individualized learning not feasible in a traditional classroom setting. Especially with data analysis not as easily applied with a human teacher. AI offers instantaneous comments, critiques, and suggestions to student work that would take teachers 30+ minutes to go through and analyze. The AI can also tailor specific lesson plans for each student, providing everyone with what they need and resulting in less separation between students solely based on their academic ability. Which, in turn, benefits social development and saves money. 

Another issue present in the education system is funding. Teachers aren’t getting paid enough, and despite that, school systems are still stretched to the limit. While AI has a large upfront cost, it lasts longer and can be used for more students. Especially if it were to be implemented as software on laptops instead of tangible robots, the money saved could be used to pay the minimal teachers that would still be used in classrooms. 

In an ideal world, teachers would still exist in some capacity. To monitor behavior, connect with students, and overall assure the AI systems are running as they should. However, AI can still be used in place of the everyday classroom teachers, and could provide a better experience. It has already been implemented in some schools, namely at the Alpha School in Austin, Texas. There is no reason it would not function just as well in a more widespread application. AI could replace teachers. 

Sources:

https://education.illinois.edu/about/news-events/news/article/2024/10/24/ai-in-schools--pros-and-cons

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alpha-school-artificial-intelligence/ 

No

By: Abigail Pallaci, 8th

Based on the opinions of the general public, along with facts given by professionals, AI proves to be a dangerous replacement for our current teachers. AI does not experience human emotions or human instinct, proving it could be less useful in the event of a dangerous situation. It would also negatively affect the lives of both students and teachers.

AI has no human emotion or natural instincts, and therefore can further endanger students in the event of a dangerous situation. Many current teachers have a protectiveness for their students similar to a motherly bond. Teachers today are ready to put their lives on the line to save their students. These teachers will also be able to form connections with their students and will have a gut feeling if something feels wrong. AI does not have the ability to form an emotional bond with humans, and therefore is incapable of experiencing human-like instincts or gut feelings. In the event of a crisis, AI will make the most logical decisions and will disregard human life if it believes that is the best choice. For example, AI will be incapable of realizing if a student is having a mental-health crisis, and cannot talk that student out of harming themselves or others.

AI will also negatively affect the lives of both teachers and students. With AI replacing them, teachers will be left jobless and have to hope they can get a new job. Teachers don’t get paid much currently, which puts them in financial danger if they are unable to find a stable job. Students, meanwhile, will lose an important role model in their life. Having a teacher positively impacts many children for multiple reasons. Firstly, teachers can be an emotional outlet for students who need someone to express their feelings to. Additionally, teachers can provide a sense of authority and teach children important common-sense values. Having a robot to teach children will cause a lack of true authority, and can cause children to either act up or misbehave. Students can also misunderstand the difference in authority that exists between real human adults-- like parents or guardians-- and non-humans, such as AI. 

Having AI as teachers will cause issues to rise within students, and will affect the world in more bad ways than good.

Sources

https://education.illinois.edu/about/news-events/news/article/2024/10/24/ai-in-schools--pros-and-cons 

https://www.edweek.org/technology/rising-use-of-ai-in-schools-comes-with-big-downsides-for-students/2025/10 

Yes

By: Miranda Parr, 8th

Is regifting acceptable? A question that has plagued the gifting society for centuries. With the holiday season fast approaching, is it acceptable to give someone else an item you yourself were gifted? Yes, it minimizes overconsumption and waste, as well as saves money. 

Regifting an item you (presumably) didn’t like prevents it from gathering dust or getting thrown away. For example, let’s say someone gave you a throw pillow you personally didn’t like (maybe it was a novelty, maybe it didn’t match your decor, maybe you just didn’t have space, doesn’t matter). You wouldn’t use it, you would throw it away or keep it to be polite, but you wouldn’t use it. But if you regift it, especially to an individual you know will enjoy and use it, it doesn’t gather dust. Statistics show that individuals in the UK alone throw away approximately £42 million in unwanted Christmas presents each year (this is about 48.85 million USD). Most of these end up in a landfill. Save the planet and regift it. 

Now, think about it from an economic perspective. According to the New York Post, adults in the US will spend a total sum of $10.1 billion on presents that don’t get used or appreciated. With the holiday season being the most expensive time of year, people are spending money on things others don’t like or won’t use. However, if you regift it, it gets used. While the person who initially bought the item may not have intended its eventual owner, they aren’t wasting money and feeding even more of the holiday capitalism. 

Regifting gets a bad reputation for no apparent reason. People say it’s disrespectful or that you should just use it, but in reality, that isn’t good advice at all. Unless you’re giving your gift to the person who gave it to you (which I do NOT recommend), you are simply helping the gift find a home without offending anyone. Save the money, save the environment, and save the stress. Just regift it. 

Sources:

https://www.hippowaste.co.uk/blog/christmas-household-clean-up-waste-report/

https://nypost.com/2024/12/20/us-news/americans-will-waste-10-1b-on-unwanted-holiday-gifts-and-53-will-get-a-disappointing-present/ 

Yes

By: Abigail Pallaci, 8th

Of all questions asked in the world, this is the singular most important question presented to mankind.  Pizza is a popular food choice across the globe, known for it’s variety of tasty sauces and toppings. It has been paired with broccoli, olives, mushroom, pepperoni, and sausage. However, of all toppings for society to come after, pineapple was the chosen misfit. What did pineapple ever do to deserve this kind of treatment?

In a YouGov poll, it was determined that 59% of the American population like pineapple on pizza, and 22% of those people love it. This shows that society agrees with pineapple on pizza. Additionally, a well known Italian chef known as Gino Sorbillo introduced pineapple on pizza, shocking locals throughout Italy. In fact, Gino even recorded himself taking a bite of the pizza, and commented “It’s good”, and posted it on social media. If Italians themselves are starting to accept pineapple on pizza, you can too!

In conclusion, it is only factual that pineapple belongs on pizza. From an opinionated and objective standpoint, it is statistically obvious that pineapple just belongs on pizza. The balance between the sweetness of the pineapple and the savory deliciousness of the pizza itself is impossible to beat. Pineapple makes the perfect addition to pizza, like a cookie with warm chocolate chips! And, as an Italian myself, I believe pineapple is one of the most delectable additions to pizza. While the traditional pepperoni and mozzarella is an obvious favorite, pineapple will  always be an amazing sweet treat to try on your pizza! Don’t knock it till’ ya try it! 

No

By Molly Zhang, 7th Grade

What do birthday parties, movie nights, and generally any large event have in common? The answer is of course, pizza!

Pizza has become a timeless and ubiquitous icon of American food, even though it actually comes from Italy. At its essence, pizza is a flatbread with tomato sauce and cheese. But what makes pizza so versatile is the toppings. From bacon to jalapenos, toppings are what characterize a pizza.

If you walk into a pizza shop, you’re likely to find an option for Hawaiian pizza — ham and pineapple. The choice of pineapple on pizza is a hotly debated subject, but it clearly doesn’t belong as a standard topping, even if some people do enjoy it. 

Firstly, pineapple is a tart and sweet fruit, seen more often in desserts and fruity drinks than savory dishes. The flavor contrast is enjoyable for some, but frankly, it’s just startling and uncomfortable. Combined with the sharpness of the tomato sauce, pineapple creates an overly acidic taste, which completely upsets the palate.

In addition, pineapple can lead to a soggy pizza crust, as it is a fruit that contains a lot of juice. As pizza fans know, a soggy, lukewarm crust significantly decreases the quality of the experience. The crust is a foundational portion of the pizza, and spoiling it with the sogginess of pineapple is truly a waste.

It’s clearly obvious that pineapple and pizza were never meant to be, no matter how much foodies profess their love for this strange concoction. Sometimes, things just don’t work out together.