app/views/debate/_search.html.erb
<div class="col-lg-offset-3 col-sm-6" >
<%= form_tag(mockdebate_path, :method => "get", id: "search-form" ) do %>
<div class="input-group">
<%= text_field_tag :search, params[:search], placeholder: "search the debates you want to attend based on topics", class: "form-control" %>
<span class="input-group-btn">
<button class="btn btn-primary" type="submit">Search</button>
</span>
</div>
<% end %>
</div>