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THEMES AND PROBLEMS

MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • Biotechnology
  • Career Prep
  • Challenging Technology Issues
  • Children's Stories
  • Coding
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Science and Analytics
  • Digital Photography

Biotechnology

Biotechnology that supports sustainable cosmetics packaging to reduce waste to landfills

Career Prep

Theme: Select a career from one (1) of the following:  

  • Bioenergy Technicians
  • Data Architect
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Nurse Practitioner

Challenging Technology Issues

Topics:
  • Genetic Testing and Counseling
  • Animal Testing for Scientific Research
  • The Use of Drones for Surveillance
  • Privatization of Space Travel
  • Nanotechnology in Consumer Goods

Children's Stories

An interactive or pop-up book that focuses on making friends in-person

Coding

To prepare for MS Coding competition, teams should have knowledge of concepts (software development, computer science, and coding topics) that will be on the Coding written test. They also should be familiar and comfortable with using the Scratch programming language. 

Scratch is a free visual programming language available from the MIT Media Lab (https://scratch.mit.edu/download). An offline version of the Scratch tool should be downloaded and available on each team’s laptop.  

Teams that advance to the semifinalist level, based on written test performance, will perform a challenge using the Scratch programming language. Semifinalist teams will receive the challenge on site and will have two hours to complete it. (PLEASE NOTE: Semifinalist teams MUST have a version of this program available for offline use, as there will be no Internet access available during the semifinalist level of the competition.) 

Examples of the types of challenges students may be asked to complete can be found at this link: https://scratch.mit.edu/starter-projects

Cybersecurity

Problem Statement: Byte Inc.'s Internet of things and Bluetooth are acting strangely on devices in the company’s network. Address the potential cause and propose a solution.

Data Science and Analytics

Determine the potential "movie success" of a fictitious feature film based on different public metrics, such as, but not limited to box office revenue, date of release, movie genre (selected by the team), movie production budget, and more.

Digital Photography

Students will take four photographs that fit the theme “Through the Eye of an Animal.”
HIGH SCHOOL
  • Animatronics
  • Architectural Design
  • Audio Podcasting
  • Biotechnology Design
  • Children’s Stories
  • Coding
  • Data Science and Analytics
  • Debating Technological Issues

Animatronics

Design Problem: Following the specified requirements, create an animatronic exhibit for a public library to excite young readers.

Architectural Design

Audio Podcasting

Preparing to compete in a TSA event and/or preparing for your first TSA conference

Biotechnology Design

Topic: Tissue Engineering. Tissue Engineering is a biomedical engineering discipline that uses a combination of cells, engineering, materials methods, and suitable biochemical and physicochemical factors to restore, maintain, improve, or replace different types of biological tissues.

Children’s Stories

Create a “touch and feel” or interactive storybook that introduces TSA and its benefits to young readers in an engaging manner.

Coding

The following programming languages may be used to complete the assigned problems: 

  • C version C17
  • C++ version C++20
  • C# version 8
  • Java version 21.0
  • Javascript/Node version 18.19
  • Python version 3.9
  • Ruby version 3.2
  • Rust version 1.75
  • Swift version 5.10

Data Science and Analytics

Identify and use a "Real Estate," "Housing," and/or "Community" related open-source data set for your analyses and research. In the scientific poster, cite the source of the data, including the URL/domain and file format.

Debating Technological Issues

Topic: Biotechnology

  • Subtopic 1: Biometric identification poses a security threat within the digital world.
  • Subtopic 2: Gene-editing biotechnologies such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system, set a dangerous precedent for science applications in healthcare.
  • Subtopic 3: Brain interface technologies, such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink, provide a unique and beneficial solution to mental health issues.
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