A few students will take on the issues of equipping police with body cameras and whether the federal government should increase funding to NASA.

Eight of the top debaters from the ISU speech communication 322 argument, debate and critical thinking class will perform a public debate on these issues from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 12 in the Memorial Union’s Campanile Room. The debate is free for all to attend.

“It always surprises me how well the students do,” said Richard Crosby, assistant professor of English. “[Debating] is a real skill they will use [in other areas].”

There are about 20 students—mostly upperclassmen—in the course, Crosby said, but the eight participating were the top in the class. At least seven of those, he said, have no prior debate experience, but have learned and improved throughout the semester.

Students spent the entire fall semester researching and arguing these two topics, which the class had selected.

The hardest part of a debate, Crosby said, is actually listening to the opponent’s arguments to make a counter argument. This can be difficult because opponents often speak quickly and throw out numerous facts or statements, he said.

Debate is a different form of argument in that the participants don’t have time to sit and revise statements or fact-check.

“[Debaters] have to be really on top of things,” Crosby said. “They need to know how to think on their feet.”

The art of debate is an important skill for anyone to have, Crosby said. He also said he has been impressed with the progress students have made this semester.

“They have no choice but to improve,” he said. “You can’t hide in a debate. People watch you fail. They have more incentive to succeed.”

Crosby said that while this is the debate class, debate and public speaking skills are taught throughout the entire speech curriculum and are important skills for anyone to have.