The competitive event participant conference registration deadline is May 15th at 11:59pm ET. The competition component upload platform is open and accessible to student members for events with pre-submission requirements between May 18th at 9:00 am ET and May 21st 11:59pm ET
Make note of 2023 National TSA Conference competition-related dates and deadlines here.
Middle school and high school competitions with preconference submission requirements
Instructions for uploading competition components
HIGH SCHOOL
Animatronics
Eligibility is three (3) teams of two to three (2-3) team members per state
Board Game Design
2/14/23
Rubric - Go/No Go Specifications
Documentation portfolio is present on the flash drive.
Children's Stories
3/1/23
Updated Rubric
Data Science and Analytics
9/2/22
OVERVIEW:
Semifinalists participate in a two (2) hour semifinal challenge visually representing a data set provided as an on-site challenge.
9/6/22
SEMIFINAL ROUND
B. Semifinalist teams submit the following as a multi-page PDF on the TSA-provided USB drive.
1. A visual representation
2. A brief synopsis of their entry
Dragster Design
9/27/22
Updated rubric
11/4/22
Dragster Body
One (1)-piece, construction of wood or plastics, including urethane modeling foam. Materials, processing equipment or tools are not specified. CNC milling and 3D printing is allowed.
Drone Challenge (UAV)
9/27/22
Updated rubric
10/12/22
UAV Drone Specifications
E. Drone Regulations
The UAV Drone propellers can be in size from 4" (101mm) to 8" (203.2mm) in overall length.
Sizes can be from 6" (152.4mm) to 14" (355.6mm) in outside motor propeller size diagonally.
11/4/22
UAV Drone Specifications
D. Battery packs must only be commercially available lithium-ion or lithium-ion polymer batteries that are purchased from open-sourced 3rd parties (i.e., Amazon, hobby shops, etc.)
1/12/23
Participants are not required to have two drones. However, if they choose to have a backup drone, it is required at event check-in
Future Technology Teacher
4/3/23
SEMIFINAL ROUND
B. Participants report at the time and place stated in the conference program to sign up for a scheduled time to present the lesson plan/activity.
Music Production
9/12/22
SEMIFINAL ROUND
A. The interview
Refer to the official rating form for more information.
10/18/22
PRECONFERENCE
D. Musical Piece
4. There will be a five (5)-point deduction for:
a. each fifteen (15) seconds under the one (1)-minute minimum
Promotional Design
3/22/23
PRELIMINARY ROUND
C. 6. Items that may be considered for the four (4) Promotional Folder items might include: a pamphlet, post card, letter, small poster, or business card.
Software Development
9/6/22
PROCEDURE
PRELIMINARY ROUND
F. A list of twelve (12) semifinalists (in random order) is posted.
Senior Solar Sprint
2/27/23
Pre-Conference
D. Solar Paneling
13. Each vehicle must include a mounted battery holder that is capable of holding two AA batteries. This system needs a switch and button as illustrated. This is to be used at the starting line as follows.
a) on the "READY" command the button is depressed and held, this opens the circuit.
b) on the "SET" command the switch is flipped, to connect the batteries to the motor.
c) on the "GO" command the button is released, thereby closing the circuit, sending power to the motor, causing the vehicle to move.
3/30/23
The Senior Solar Sprint (SSS) competition will be held indoors at the 2023 National TSA Conference due to location and logistical reasons.
Structural Design and Engineering
3/8/23
When submitting the pre-built preliminary structure solution, the team will identify where the test block should be placed for evaluation.
3/21/23
The full-size three-view drawing can be full-size or a scaled drawing.
Video Game Design
1/23/23
Page 352
EVALUATION
PRELIMINARY ROUND
C. Up to ten (10) bonus points may be added by the judges for exceptional game features, or for content showing exemplary educational and social value.
Webmaster
9/27/22
Updated rubric
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Biotechnology
11/4/22
PROCEDURE
PRE-CONFERENCE
A. 2023 – Participants select a contemporary issue concerning biotechnology.
Children’s Stories
Full rubric that reflects updates to the criteria/definitions in the Documentation Portfolio section
Updated Children’s Stories rubric
Community Service Video
Full rubric that reflects updates to the Semifinal Presentation/Interview section point values and Time Deductions section
1/19/22 - Updated Community Service Video rubric
Construction Challenge
Full rubric that reflects updates to the Preliminary Subtotal section point values
Updated Construction Challenge rubric
Cybersecurity
Full rubric that reflects updates to the Preliminary and Semifinal Subtotal sections point values
Updated Cybersecurity rubric
Data Science and Analytics
9/6/22
TIME LIMITS
PRELIMINARY ROUND
There is no presentation in the preliminary round
SEMIFINAL ROUND
A. Thirty (30) minutes are allowed for data analysis and syntheses.
B. Five (5) minutes are allowed to present.
Dragster
Full rubric that reflects updates to the Semifinal Subtotal section point values
Updated Dragster rubric
11/4/22
Dragster Body
One (1)-piece, construction of wood or plastics, including urethane modeling foam. Materials, processing equipment or tools are not specified. CNC milling and 3D printing is allowed.
Forensic Technology
Teams should have the necessary supplies to make a presentation on each of the three Forensic Science concepts. Competitors are responsible for bringing tools/supplies needed to demonstrate the skills/concepts and no other materials will be needed.
Junior Solar Sprint
Full rubric that reflects an update to the total score point value.
Updated Junior Solar Sprint Rubric
2/27/23
Pre-Conference
D. Solar Paneling
Diagram
SPDT switch
11. Each vehicle must include a mounted battery holder that is capable of holding two AA batteries. This system needs a switch and button as illustrated. This is to be used at the starting line as follows.
a) on the "READY" command the button is depressed and held, this opens the circuit.
b) on the "SET" command the switch is flipped, to connect the batteries to the motor.
c) on the "GO" command the button is released, thereby closing the circuit, sending power to the motor, causing the vehicle to move.
3/30/23
The Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) competition will be held indoors at the 2023 National TSA Conference due to location and logistical reasons.
Mechanical Engineering
Vehicles will run on a hard surface, not carpet.
Medical Technology
10/31/22
PROCEDURE
PRE-CONFERENCE
A. 2023 – Participants select a contemporary medical technology issue.
SEMIFINAL ROUND
B. Up to (3) team representatives report at least ten (10) minutes prior to their assigned time to the designated place for their presentation.
Problem Solving
Page 259 should read:
PRELIMINARY ROUND
D. 3. f. Abrasives sheets, sanding sponges, emery boards
Promotional Marketing
10/31/22
Rubric, PRINTED DESIGN section
All reference to "poster" should be "printed design".
1/6/23
RULES AND REGULATIONS
PRECONFERENCE
3. Participants create digital signage using presentation software, and should include:
c. The digital signage must be between one and one half to two and one half (1 ½ to 2 ½) minutes in duration.
Structural Engineering
3/8/23
When submitting the pre-built preliminary structure solution, the team will identify where the test block should be placed for evaluation.