Academy Conference comes to Stoke for students in Years 7-10.

The aim of this study day is to help gifted students to:

• Improve their thinking skills

• Begin to be able to identify what is fundamental from what is trivial

• Become intellectually creative

• Identify assumptions and distinguish between good and poor arguments

• Think systematically and rigorously about relevant modern day issues

Julie Arliss is an amazing presenter and philosopher from England, who travels Australia and New Zealand bringing philosophical concepts to life. Philosophy is the study of thinking and thinking about thinking. Julie's conferences are engaging and inspiring. Students leave the conference mind boggled and thinking! Some topics are quite controversial but the idea of the day is to engage students in thinking and debating. Each year this goal is met!

Lecture Topics Include:

• What should I do? Decision making

• Genetics, Epigenetics and Transhumanism

• Community of Inquiry-Is the purpose of life to be Happy?

• Debate: This House believes in culling animals that cause significant damage