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.
- Audio Podcasting
- Biotechnology
- Career Prep
- Challenging Technology Issues
- Children's Stories
- Coding
- Construction Challenge
- Cybersecurity
Audio Podcasting
Biotechnology
Theme: Students research and report on biotechnology that develops biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels, helping to reduce pollution and combat climate change.
Career Prep
Theme: Choose a career from the Career Clusters Energy & Natural Resources category within one of the following subclusters:
- Resource Extraction
- Conservation & Land Management
- Ecological Research & Development
- Clean & Alternative Energy
- Environmental Protection
- Utilities
Challenging Technology Issues
- Artificial Intelligence and Automation in the Workplace
- Cloning to Generate Human Organs
- Utilizing Lab-Grown Meat as a Substantiative Agricultural Practice
- Banning Gas-Powered Cars by 2035
- Human Microchip Implants for Medical Records
Children's Stories
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
Construction Challenge
Theme: Your team has been tasked to design a playground appropriate for elementary school students (kindergarten through fifth grade). The playground should accommodate 50-60 students and be American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. The playground should have a minimum of three (3) distinct zones for students. Describe the materials your team will use and how they complement the local environment of the playground.
Cybersecurity
Problem Statement: MakerForge Supply Inc. is an online retailer of makerspace supplies for consumers. Previously, the company offered website chat support on their website for customers seeking answers to their questions about orders, returns, etc. The company recently deployed an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to answer customer’s questions as a first-step basis – prior to connecting customers with a MakerForge customer service agent. Now the company is receiving reports that the AI chatbot is exposing customer information inappropriately and providing invalid responses. Address the potential causes and propose solutions for securing and managing the AI chatbot.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Digital Video Production
- Dragster
- Drone Challenge (UAV)
- Engineering Design
- Fashion Design and Technology
- Geospatial Technology
- Manufacturing Prototype
- Music Production
Digital Video Production
Theme: “A Twist in Time” Create a story that alters a key historical moment—or imagines a character from the past suddenly appearing in the modern day.
Dragster
No theme for 2026, see official rules for specifications
Drone Challenge (UAV)
Engineering Design
Theme: Engineering the tools of scientific discovery
Fashion Design and Technology
Geospatial Technology
Theme: Urban Heat Islands and Cooling Solutions
Identify urban heat island (UHI) hotspots in your area using temperature, vegetation, and land use data. Map areas most affected by heat and propose equitable solutions—such as tree planting zones, reflective surfaces, or community cooling centers—especially in vulnerable neighborhoods.
Manufacturing Prototype
Music Production
Theme: The year 2026 marks the 250th birthday of the United States. Create a musical piece that can be played as the opening number at a July 4th fireworks show.