Below you will find summary descriptions of the 2019 and 2020 middle school TSA competitions. Click on a category to filter the competitions. (More detailed specifications and rules can be found in the "TSA Middle School Competitive Events Guide for the 2019 and 2020 National TSA Conference.") You can also view and download the TSA middle school competitions eligibility chart applicable to the 2020 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.)
For event entries submitted pre-conference:
- A link will be provided approximately one month prior to the deadline of May 15th on the Competition Updates page.
- This submission procedure applies ONLY to entries for the National TSA Conference, not state TSA conference entries.
- Email verification of each team's entry will be made by June 10th to the contact email provided during submission.
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:
Biotechnology
Participants (three [3] teams per state) 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 make a presentation and are interviewed about their topic.
Forensic Technology
Participants (one [1] team of two [2] individuals per chapter) take a written test of basic forensic science theory to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalists participate in a skills demonstration onsite.
Medical Technology
Participants (three [3] teams of at least two [2] individuals per state) conduct research on a contemporary medical technology issue of their choosing, document their research within a display, and design a prototype depicting a medical technology solution. Semifinalists participate in a presentation.
System Control Technology
Participants (one [1] team of three [3] individuals per state) use a team approach to develop a computer-controlled model solution to a given problem, typically one based on an industrial setting. Teams analyze the problem, build a computer-controlled mechanical model, program the model, explain the program and mechanical features of the model-solution, and leave instructions for judges to operate the device.