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COMPETITION UPDATES


When a decision is made by a member to compete in an event, it is imperative that the member thoroughly read and understand the rules, regulations, procedures, and evaluation criteria for the chosen event(s). National TSA is responsible for addressing mistakes or discrepancies in the competitive event guides and accomplishes this through competition updates on the TSA website. National TSA is not responsible for interpreting, advising, or suggesting ways that a member might develop a viable response or solution to a competitive event challenge. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • Community Service Video (Updated: 5/12/2026)
  • Construction Challenge (Updated: 5/12/2026)
  • Dragster (Updated: 2/24/2026)
  • Flight (Updated: 1/22/2026)
  • Mechanical Engineering (Updated: 12/10/2025)
  • Robotics (Updated: 8/20/2026)
  • Solar Racer (Updated: 2/19/2026)
  • STEM Animation (Updated: 4/2/2026)
  • System Control Technology (Updated: 10/22/2025)
  • Video Game Design (Updated: 1/21/2026)

Community Service Video

PRECONFERENCE
E. Should reference General Rule D.10.b.
Pp 102

Construction Challenge

9/24/25

Theme: Your team has been tasked to design a playground appropriate for elementary school students (kindergarten through fifth grade). The playground should accommodate 50-60 students and be American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. The playground should have a minimum of three (3) distinct zones for students. Describe the materials your team will use and how they complement distinct zones of the playground. 

PRECONFERENCE
E. Should reference General Rule D.10.b.
pp. 116

Dragster

MS Dragster

2/24/26
Page 152
Axles/axle holes/wheelbase
2. Bottom of axle hole or bearing above bottom of car body.                     5mm 10mm
(NOTE: This will only be measured at the lowest point of the side surfaces of the car body at the axle hole.)

Flight

1/22/26

Semifinal Round Documentation Portfolio Rubric
Detail Illustration replaces Detail Drawing

Mechanical Engineering

Robotics

See updated Themes

Solar Racer

8/27/25
Pre-Conference
E. Solar Paneling
3. No official car kits or parts are specified for the event

STEM Animation

4/2/26

PRELIMINARY ROUND
B. Animation
7. All graphics, images (including background), and student voice audio clips must be originally created by the participants.

System Control Technology

10/22/25
PROCEDURE
PRELIMINARY ROUND
D. The problem and the Inventor’s Log are present to teams at the beginning of the fifteen (15) minute problem analysis session prior to model-building.

Video Game Design

1/21/26
E.1.c.
Include/cite any references for market research

HIGH SCHOOL
  • Data Science and Analytics (Updated: 8/20/2026)
  • Interior Design (Updated: 8/18/2026)
  • Robotics (Updated: 8/20/2026)

Data Science and Analytics

See updated Theme

Interior Design

RULES AND REGULATIONS
PRECONFERENCE
A. Documentation Portfolio
Documentation materials (comprising “a portfolio”) are required and must be secured in a clear front report cover with the following single-sided, 8½" x 11" pages, in this order

Robotics

See updated Theme