A Field Trip to the Panzer Kaserne in Böblingen
Recently, our class went on an exciting field trip to the Panzer Kaserne in Böblingen. It was a special day that provided us with a unique glimpse into life on a U.S. military base and also helped us refine our debating skills.
Our first stop was the mall located on the base. It was interesting to see how everything felt so American—it felt like taking a short trip to the U.S. After that, our teacher, Ms. K. Neal, guided us around a part of the base and pointed out a few interesting places, like the church. It was a nice way to get an impression of the surroundings.
At the school on base, we were warmly welcomed by students from the debate team who were waiting for us on the American football field bleachers (like the ones you see in movies). They gave us a quick tour of the school where the culinary chef met us in the kitchen classroom. We also got a glimpse of the JROTC (how to become a soldier) program where high schoolers learn military skills. We visited their large music rehearsal classroom with individual recording pods.
They then invited us into a classroom where they held their debate lessons. There, they introduced us to key debating techniques. We learned how to build strong arguments, how to respond quickly and clearly in a debate, and what is a “Point of Information”. These skills were not only useful but also fun to practice. Ms. Neal had kindly brought snacks for us, and Mr. Coapstick organized pizza for lunch, which we really appreciated.
At the end of the day, we held an actual debate, which was a great experience and a chance to put into practice everything we had learned. Overall, it was an educational and fun trip that helped us grow both culturally and intellectually. Visiting the Panzer Kaserne gave us a closer look at American culture and helped us build confidence in our English and debating skills. We’re thankful to everyone who helped make the trip possible.
The LMG Debating Team.
