THEMES AND PROBLEMS
MIDDLE SCHOOL
When a decision is made by a member to compete in an event, it is imperative that the member thoroughly read and understand the rules, regulations, procedures, and evaluation criteria for the chosen event(s). National TSA is responsible for addressing mistakes or discrepancies in the competitive event guides and accomplishes this through competition updates on the TSA website. National TSA is not responsible for interpreting, advising, or suggesting ways that a member might develop a viable response or solution to a competitive event challenge.
- Data Science and Analytics
- Digital Photography
- Dragster
- Drone Challenge (UAV)
- Forensic Technology
- Mass Production
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Technology
Data Science and Analytics
Data Set – Yellowstone_Wildlife.csv
Topic: Explore how wildlife populations and their migration behaviors have shifted in Yellowstone National Park over the last 50 years. Look at the key ecological, environmental, and human characteristics provided in the dataset. Based on your analysis, create a set of data-driven criteria that can help Yellowstone National Park with their planning for wildlife conservation. Support your predictive criteria with clear evidence from the data.
Digital Photography
Theme: Create a digital photo series consisting of seven color photographs. Each photo should emphasize one of the colors in the ROY G. BIV sequence:
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Indigo
- Violet
The seven photos must all be connected by a single theme, story, location, subject, or idea. While each image should prominently feature its assigned color, the entire collection should feel like one cohesive series rather than seven unrelated photographs.
Dragster
No theme for 2027, see official rules for specifications
Drone Challenge (UAV)
Theme and Topic
Forensic Technology
Skills
- Forensic Biology-Genetics
- Toxicology
- Forensic Psychology
Mass Production
Theme: Automata Box
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Technology
Theme: Pulmonological Conditions & Modern Technologies to Address them: teams will select a respiratory-related condition and outline it in the display. Then, teams will select a modern medical technology that will be highlighted by the informational pamphlet and multimedia video.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Animatronics
- Architectural Design
- Audio Podcasting
- Biotechnology Design
- Children’s Stories
- Data Science and Analytics
- Debating Technological Issues
- Digital Video Production
Animatronics
Design Problem: Turning classic tales into a mechanical marvel. Bring a story to life following the Animatronics rules.
Architectural Design
Audio Podcasting
Theme: “The Debate Desk”
Students create an audio podcast presenting multiple perspectives on a controversial topic in STEM, society, education, health, or the environment.
Biotechnology Design
Topic: Biosensors for Disease Detection
Biosensors use biological molecules, cells, or enzymes to detect specific chemicals or disease markers. These tools are increasingly important in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Present the science behind biosensors and demonstrate one use of biosensor technology in detecting or monitoring disease.
Children’s Stories
Theme: A graphic novel/comic book. Binding cannot be stapled.
Data Science and Analytics
Theme: Identify and use an AI-generated dataset related to Climate and Environmental Sustainability for analysis and research. Competitors may use an artificial intelligence tool to create the dataset, provide the resulting data file in a structured format (such as CSV, XLSX, or JSON), and cite the artificial intelligence tool, model (if available), and prompts or queries used to generate the dataset.
Debating Technological Issues
Theme: Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
- Topic 1: AI diagnostic tools should be allowed to make medical decisions without final approval from a physician.
- Topic 2: The use of AI in healthcare will improve access to care more than it will increase medical bias.
- Topic 3: Patients should have the right to know when AI is involved in their diagnosis or treatment plan.
Digital Video Production
Theme: Create an infomercial with a product and in the style of the 1990s.