TSA offers 37 middle school competitions. The eligibility chart below provides the eligibility requirements for each competition and is applicable to the 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.)
MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITIVE EVENT 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 (6)
- Computer Science and Information Technology (6)
- Leadership (5)
- Manufacturing and Transportation Technology (6)
- STEM (General) (6)
- STEM and the Arts (2)
- Technology and Research (4)
Dragster
Participants design, draw, and construct a CO2-powered dragster that adheres to the annual specifications, design and documentation requirements, and theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview and compete in a double-elimination race.
Flight
Participants submit a documentation portfolio and fabricate a glider designed to stay in flight for the greatest elapsed time. Semifinalists use their technical drawing skills to construct a glider that is flown onsite.
Junior Solar Sprint (JSS)
Participants apply STEM concepts, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to design, construct, and race a solar-powered model car. Documentation of the process is required. Learn more about JSS, then register on Cvent to begin the JSS journey.
Mass Production
Participants manufacture a marketable product that addresses the annual theme. The development of the product prototype is documented in a portfolio that presents participant knowledge and skills related to the mass production process. Through a demonstration of the prototype and an interview, semifinalists support the viability of the prototype.
Mechanical Engineering
Participants design, document, and build a mechanical device (mousetrap car) that incorporates the elements of the annual theme/problem – and then race the car. Finalists are determined based on an evaluation of the documentation portfolio, the race exit interview, and the race placement.
VEX IQ Challenge
Participants collaborate on a robotics project – in which they build a robot that incorporates the relationship among STEM fields – culminating in a robot skills challenge that evaluates the robot’s efficiency and productivity.