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)
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.
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.
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.
Problem Solving
Participants use problem solving skills to develop a finite solution to a problem provided onsite.
Technical Design
Participants demonstrate their ability to use the technical design process to solve an engineering design problem onsite and present the team’s solution in a portfolio at the conference.
Video Game Design
Participants develop, build, and launch an E-rated, online game that focuses on the subject of their choice. The game should be interesting, exciting, visually appealing, and intellectually challenging. Semifinalist teams participate in an onsite interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise they gained during the development of the game.