TSA offers 37 middle school competitions, 30 of which are also offered in a virtual format. The eligibility charts below provide the eligibility requirements for each competition and are applicable to the 2021 National TSA Conference. (State delegations may choose to alter their events for local conferences. Click on your state to preview the requirements pertaining to your regional and/or state conferences.)
TSA MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITIONS ELIGIBILITY CHART
TSA MIDDLE SCHOOL VIRTUAL COMPETITIONS ELIGIBILITY CHART
Each participant/team shall submit only one [1] entry per competition.
TSA Middle School Competitions | Career Categories
Click on a category below to view a list of TSA middle school competitions and their summary descriptions in that category:
- All Middle School Competitions (37)
- Architecture and Construction Technology (3)
- Communications Technology (5)
- Computer Science and Information Technology (8)
- Leadership (5)
- Manufacturing and Transportation Technology (7)
- STEM (General) (6)
- STEM and the Arts (2)
- Technology and Research (4)
Biotechnology
Participants conduct research on a contemporary biotechnology issue of their choosing, document their research, and create a display. The information gathered may be student-performed research or a re-creation or simulation of research performed by the scientific community. If appropriate, a model or prototype depicting some aspect of the issue may be included in the display. Semifinalist teams are interviewed about their topic.
CAD Foundations
Participants have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of CAD fundamentals as they create a two-dimensional (2D) graphic representation of an engineering part or object.
Career Prep
Participants conduct research on a selected technology-related career according to a theme posted on the TSA website, and use this knowledge to prepare a letter of introduction and a chronological skills resume. Semifinalists participate in a mock interview.
Challenging Technology Issues
Participants work together to prepare and deliver a debate-style presentation with participants explaining opposing views of a current technology issue.
Chapter Team
Participants take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to qualify for the semifinals, in which they conduct an opening ceremony, items of business, parliamentary actions, and a closing ceremony within a specified time period.
Children’s Stories
Participants create an illustrated children’s story that will incorporate educational and social values. The story may be written in a genre of their choice and must address the annual theme. Examples are fables, adventures, non-fiction, fiction, and fairy tales.
Coding
Participants will demonstrate their knowledge of computer science and coding by taking a written test. Semifinalists will further demonstrate their programming knowledge by participating in an onsite a programming challenge.
Community Service Video
Participants create and submit a video that depicts the local TSA chapter’s involvement with a community service project (e.g., American Cancer Society) of their choice. Semifinalists are announced onsite at the annual conference.
Construction Challenge
Participants submit a scale model/prototype with a portfolio that documents the use of their leadership and technical skills to fulfill an identified community need related to construction. Semifinalists discuss their projects in a presentation and an interview.
Cybersecurity Foundations
Participants complete a Cybersecurity exam covering general cybersecurity vocabulary and knowledge needed to execute tasks commonly performed by all levels of cybersecurity professionals. Using digital presentation software, participants prepare a presentation, addressing a specific cybersecurity issue, to a group of hypothetical corporate board members.
Data Science and Analytics
Participants conduct research on an annual theme or topic, collect data, and document their research in a supporting portfolio and a display. Participants implement a variety of methods to find connections between data, and gain insightful knowledge about a particular issue. Using analytics, participants assess collected data to make predictions and informed decisions. Semifinalist teams report for a timed, onsite challenge in which they must review specific data sets, provide insights, make predictions, and present their findings.
Digital Photography
Participants produce a digital portfolio addressing an annual theme. Semifinalists participate in a timed challenge and demonstrate competency their knowledge of digital photography in a presentation/interview.
Dragster
Participants design and produce a race-worthy CO2-powered dragster according to stated specifications, using only specified materials.
Electrical Applications
Participants take a written test on basic electrical and electronic theory. Semifinalists assemble a specific circuit from a schematic diagram using their own kit, make required electrical measurements, and explain their solution during an interview.
Essays on Technology
Participants conduct research on specified subtopics of a broader technological area and, using the knowledge and resources gained through that research, write a comprehensive essay on one subtopic that is designated onsite.
Flight
Participants study the principles of flight and design in order to fabricate a glider that stays in flight for the greatest elapsed time. The glider must be designed to be launched from a catapult that is provided onsite. The design process is documented in a portfolio that is submitted for evaluation.
Forensic Technology
Participants take a written test of basic forensic science theory to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalists participate in a skills demonstration onsite.
Foundations of Information Technology (FIT)
Participants complete a examination covering essential IT skills and knowledge needed to perform tasks commonly performed by all levels of IT professionals. Semifinalists exhibit proficiency and demonstrate creative problem solving by applying techniques to troubleshoot an industry-related challenge.
Inventions and Innovations
Participants investigate and determine the need for an invention or innovation of a device, system, or process, and brainstorm ideas for a possible solution. Teams prepare an interactive display and model/prototype. Semifinalists present to a panel of judges (who act as venture capitalist investors) to persuade the panel to invest in their invention/innovation.
Junior Solar Sprint (JSS)
Participants apply STEM concepts, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as they design, construct, and race a solar-powered model car. Learn more about JSS, then register on Cvent to begin your JSS journey.