The teachers have spoken. They voted for legalisation of cannabis to be the topic of the next debate kit, and so, obedient as ever, that’s what we did.
Our grant doesn’t cover printing and distributing this kit, so it’s online only. Just click the link below and print it out.
Download Cannabis Debate Kit (normal size) (pdf)
Download Cannabis Debate Kit (large print) (pdf)
The debate kit is a simple-to-use role play on the topic ‘Should the UK legalise cannabis?’. Your students play characters with different points of view and have a structured debate. It helps to cover the following curriculum points:-
AQA
- To evaluate claims made about the effect of cannabis on health and the link between cannabis and addiction to hard drugs.
- Some people use drugs recreationally. Some of these recreational drugs are more harmful than others. Some of these drugs are legal, some illegal.
CCEA
- the effects of cannabis
- the legal position of cannabis
OCR
- Discuss the consequences of the legal classification of drugs in the context of both school and national policy.
General HSW skills
- To practise discussing and debating issues and expressing an opinion
- Consider social, ethical and factual issues in an integrated way
- Think about different points of view
- Learn to back up their opinions with facts
- Using data to draw conclusions
- Societal aspects of scientific evidence
- Developing an argument
The kits can also be used for PSHE (or SPHE) and Citizenship. Designed for years 9-11 (i.e. age 13-16).
Key facts
Science Debate Kit: Free teaching resource
Activity: Role play on topic: Should the UK legalise cannabis?
Kits contain: Character cards, lesson plan, background info, suggested homeworks
Time: Approx 1 hr
Age: Designed for KS4, have been used for ages 11-18
Aim: Promote discussion skills
“I thought the IVF cards were brilliant for debating. It made the debate run smoothly and showed them clearly how different people have different points of view. By giving more info gradually, the pupils started to think about each situation and change their opinion with justification.”
Teacher, Winterhill School, Rotherham and I’m a Scientist pilot participant
