THEMES AND PROBLEMS

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dragster
Essays on Technology
Forensic Technology
Inventions and Innovations
Mass Production
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Technology
Microcontroller Design

Dragster

Address weights and lengths only; there are no special design challenges.

Essays on Technology

Topic: Reducing our impact on the planet.

Subtopics:

Reducing microplastics in our oceans
Reducing forever chemicals in soil
Reducing energy consumption for cooling in residential and commercial buildings as temperatures rise

Forensic Technology

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

Tool mark identification
Hair and fiber analysis
Forensic biometrics

Inventions and Innovations

Create a product that enhances the daily productivity of a middle school student.

Mass Production

Pet supply storage tower

Mechanical Engineering

Problem Statement: A vehicle must go forward at least ten (10) feet, then reverse to a full stop at seven (7) feet from the original starting line.

The floor surface for the 2025 National TSA Conference will be convention center concrete. The floor surfaces for state conferences may vary.

Medical Technology

Medical Drugs and Genetics: Why do some people respond to medicines differently than others?

Microcontroller Design

Interactive gift box

HIGH SCHOOL

Animatronics
Architectural Design
Audio Podcasting
Biotechnology Design
Children’s Stories
Coding
Data Science and Analytics
Debating Technological Issues

Animatronics

Design Problem: Following the specified requirements, create an animatronic exhibit for a public library to excite young readers.

Architectural Design

Design Problem

Audio Podcasting

Preparing to compete in a TSA event and/or preparing for your first TSA conference

Biotechnology Design

Topic: Tissue Engineering. Tissue Engineering is a biomedical engineering discipline that uses a combination of cells, engineering, materials methods, and suitable biochemical and physicochemical factors to restore, maintain, improve, or replace different types of biological tissues.

Children’s Stories

Create a “touch and feel” or interactive storybook that introduces TSA and its benefits to young readers in an engaging manner.

Coding

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

C version C17
C++ version C++20
C# version 8
Java version 21.0
Javascript/Node version 18.19
Python version 3.9
Ruby version 3.2
Rust version 1.75
Swift version 5.10

Data Science and Analytics

Identify and use a "Real Estate," "Housing," and/or "Community" related open-source data set for your analyses and research. In the scientific poster, cite the source of the data, including the URL/domain and file format.

Debating Technological Issues

Topic: Biotechnology

Subtopic 1: Biometric identification poses a security threat within the digital world.
Subtopic 2: Gene-editing biotechnologies such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system, set a dangerous precedent for science applications in healthcare.
Subtopic 3: Brain interface technologies, such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink, provide a unique and beneficial solution to mental health issues.