Themes & Problems

TSA
Themes & Problems

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Middle School Themes and Problems

Biotechnology

Theme: Removal of pollutants from the land OR production of biodegradable, disposable plastic for the storage of food

Career Prep

Theme: Select a Career from one (1) of the following Career Clusters:

Information Technologies
Transportation
Distribution & Logistics
Manufacturing
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Challenging Technology Issues

Topics:

Free internet access
Reality television
Setting the minimum age to own a smartphone at 16
Artificial Intelligence
Digital Learning

Children's Stories

Theme: Students will create a book for children in grades Pre-K - 2nd Grade. The book should focus on the importance of inclusion and teamwork.

Coding

To prepare for MS Coding competition, teams should have knowledge of concepts (software development, computer science, and coding topics) that will be on the Coding written test. They also should be familiar and comfortable with using the Scratch programming language.

Scratch is a free visual programming language available from the MIT Media Lab (https://scratch.mit.edu/download). An offline version of the Scratch tool should be downloaded and available on each team’s laptop.

Teams that advance to the semifinalist level, based on written test performance, will perform a challenge using the Scratch programming language. Semifinalist teams will receive the challenge on site and will have two hours to complete it. (PLEASE NOTE: Semifinalist teams MUST have a version of this program available for offline use, as there will be no Internet access available during the semifinalist level of the competition.)

Examples of the types of challenges students may be asked to complete can be found at this link: https://scratch.mit.edu/starter-projects

Cybersecurity

Problem Statement: Employees at Corp Inc. are being targeted by hackers using brute force attacks on the passwords resulting in important information being leaked.

Data Science and Analytics

Topic: Predicting a specific animal's behavior from tracking GPS data.

Digital Photography

Theme: Editorial/Commercial Photography
Students must submit a portfolio of four (4) digital photographs for a magazine spread (genre of their choice) with one being vintage in appearance.

Dragster

No special design requirements for 2023-2024.

Essays on Technology

Topic: Technology refers to methods, systems, and devices which are the result of scientific knowledge being used for practical purposes.
Subtopics:

The three greatest examples of technology in our lives.
Important technology examples for learning.
Technologies that should receive the greatest funding and testing for future development.

Forensic Technology

Be familiar with, and be able to demonstrate, the following forensic concepts:

Forensic Entomology
Forensic Anthropology
Digital Forensics

Inventions and Innovations

Theme: A device that promotes school safety (e.g., security, monitoring, sensing)

Mass Production

Theme: A traveling game (a game that can be played in the car on a road trip)

Mechanical Engineering

Problem Statement: Start line to full stop finish line distance –10 feet.

Medical Technology

Theme: Emergency Medicine and Disaster Response: technologies that improve emergency medical services and aid in disaster response situations.

Microcontroller Design

Theme - Interactive automated insect

Off the Grid

Design Brief: Design a home in a country containing a Grassland biome for a family of three (3) with two (2) generations living in the home. The country can be any country containing the grassland biome of your choice. The house must be designed for an area that does not have access to a power grid. In addition, the house must include a renewable energy source, one (1) agricultural system, and solve one (1) problem that is specific to the area.

Prepared Speech

Theme: Evolution of Excellence

Promotional Marketing

Theme: Summer Middle School TSA is hosting a STEM night at the school and your goal is to create the marketing materials for this event.

Additional Information:

Date of event: May 20
Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Your promotional toolkit needs to include the following three items.

Printable: Design a bi-fold brochure
Wearable: A t-shirt that can be given to participants
Digital Signage: Short video (1 ½ - 2 ½ minutes) to be shown at the STEM night event

STEM Animation

Theme: The use of robots in the medical field

Structural Engineering

Design Brief
Verification Form

Vlogging

Theme: Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence
Minimum number of videos: 4

Website Design

Design Brief: Website for a Makerspace

Challenge: Develop a website for a fictitious makerspace in a community. It should provide information about what equipment and services the makerspace offers, membership information, hours, and a calendar of events. It should be easy to follow and include an option to reserve equipment or space.

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High School Themes and Problems

Animatronics

Design Problem: Following the specified requirements, create an animatronic exhibit that would be seen in a History of Space Exploration Museum

Architectural Design

Design Problem

Audio Podcasting

Theme: Students will develop a podcast focused on personal development, motivation, or coaching.

Biotechnology Design

Topic: Microplastics have long been a concern for their effects on marine ecosystems, but recently, scientists have discovered their existence in Antarctic snow, on the tops of mountains, in the air, and even in our blood. Research one source of microplastics (i.e., clothing, vehicle tires, manufacturing, plastic degradation, etc.) and document their effects on organisms and the environment, as well as what is being done to mitigate these effects.

Children’s Stories

Theme: Adventure book. Students will use each page to help unlock a clue/experiment/activity at the end of the book.

Coding

The following programming languages may be used to complete the assigned problems:

C (version C11)
C++ (version C++14)
C# (version 6.0)
Java (version 10)
Javascript (NodeJS version 8.10)
Python (version 3.6)
Ruby (version 2.5)
Swift (version 4.2)

Additional languages may become available as we near the conference.
Participants will be presented with a series of coding problems that must be completed on site at the conference. Evaluation will be based on the successful completion of the problems and the time in which it takes students or teams to complete all the challenges.
In addition to the specific HS Coding competition rules and regulations, students also must adhere to TSA’s general rules (found in the HS competitive events guide).
The USA Computing Olympiad website and the ACM-ICPC International website are helpful resources for the Coding event. Additional resources that can be used to prepare for the event are listed below:

https://icpc.baylor.edu/compete/preparation
https://www.codechef.com/
http://www.usaco.org/index.php?page=contests
http://blog.hackerearth.com/2013/09/competitive-programming-getting-started_11.html
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-best-strategy-to-improve-my-skills-in-competitive-programming-in-2-3-months

Data Science & Analytics

Scientific Poster Template

Debating Technological Issues

Topic: Technology in Infrastructure

Subtopic 1: Autonomous vehicles are the answer to increasing traffic demands, especially in large urban areas.
Subtopic 2: Current carbon and renewable energy policies have a negative impact on power grid reliability and consumer pricing.
Subtopic 3: Manufacturing companies should be exempt from restrictions on waste production due to their contributions to society.

Digital Video Production

Theme: Epic or high fantasy - defined by the epic nature of its setting or satire of characters, themes, or plot. It is set in an alternative, fictional world.

Dragster

Design Challenge Requirements: Car body must have horizontal wings extending from both sides at front and rear. Maximum vehicle total width cannot exceed 90mm.

Drone Challenge (UAV)

Challenge

Engineering Design

Theme: Advance Health Informatics

Fashion Design and Technology

Theme: Avant-Garde. Avant-Garde is characterized by a radical approach. It values aesthetic innovation and unorthodox and experimental approaches. It often combines fabrics of different textures and shapes to result in clothing that is affordable and artistic. The prototype garment can be one (1) piece or two (2) to four (4) separate pieces.

Geospatial Technology

Theme: Research a local, regional, state, or national Ecosystem Issue

Manufacturing Prototype

Theme: An item that could be used to represent a TSA state delegation at a trade show. It could be a giveaway or a tabletop promotional item.

Photographic Technology

Theme: Forced Perspective, Long Exposure, Architectural, and Abstract Photography (incorporate one photo using each of these types of photography in the portfolio)

Prepared Presentation

Theme: 2024 National TSA Conference Theme, “Evolution of Excellence”

Promotional Design

Theme: Develop promotional materials for a leadership development program for high school students. The program will consist of 6 two-hour sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from September to March. Students must apply by August 15th and 25 students will be selected to participate. You will need to design and produce recruitment documents for students, a flyer, and an application.

Structural Design and Engineering

Problem Statement
Verification Form

Transportation Modeling

Design Problem: Research and present a modern motor home/RV/camper.

Video Game Design

Theme: Fantasy Adventure game

Virtual Reality Visualization (VR)

Theme: Create a virtual reality (VR) simulation that will help assist children to become more active and healthier.

Webmaster

Topic: Green energy initiatives are important to reduce the negative effects of fossil-fuels on the environment. There are many renewable energy programs promoted and listed by the Environmental Protection Agency and they promote various incentives for homeowners to include more green and clean energy solutions in their homes.

Challenge: Develop a website that compiles information for homeowners on green and clean energy home solutions and other initiatives. The website should provide basic information, cost, tax rebate information, and clean/green energy practices.