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
Theme: Breaking News from the Future
Students create an audio podcast reporting on a fictional future event, discovery, invention, or crisis as if it is happening live.
Biotechnology
Theme: Biotechnology in Food
Biotechnology can be used to improve crops, make food last longer, or create new types of food. Explain how biotechnology is used in food production and describe one way it could help farmers or consumers.
Career Prep
Choose a career from the Career Clusters Digital Technology category within one of the following subclusters:
- Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
- Information Technology (IT) Support & Services
- Network Systems & Cybersecurity
- Software Solutions
- Unmanned Vehicle Technology
Challenging Technology Issues
- The Use of AI to Write News Articles
- Requiring Coding as a Core Subject in Middle School
- Virtual Reality Replacing Physical Labs in High School Science Classes
- Medical Tourism as a Means of Accessible Treatment Options
- Robots in Elderly & Child Care
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 an urban community greenhouse and garden appropriate for a densely populated city neighborhood. The facility must fit entirely within a narrow 25 ft by 100 ft footprint and safely accommodate 20-30 community members simultaneously. The design must leverage at least two sustainable architectural or engineering practices. Describe the specific practices and design choices made to build the greenhouse within these constraints.
Cybersecurity
Problem Statement: FinStream Technologies is a fast-growing financial technology startup. During a routine audit, the security team notices anomalies in the network logs. A senior software engineer who recently submitted their two-week notice has been downloading unusually large volumes of proprietary source code and client financial data from the cloud repository to a local workstation and subsequently transferring it to an unencrypted external USB drive. Analyze the immediate actions required to secure the data, investigate the scope of the exfiltration, and recommend policy changes.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Dragster
- Drone Challenge (UAV)
- Engineering Design
- Fashion Design and Technology
- Hybrid Racer XL
- Interior Design
- Manufacturing Prototype
- Music Production
Dragster
Theme: INSIDE / OUT
One axle (front or rear) must use internal wheels, while the opposite axle must use external wheels.
Internal: The wheels must be enclosed by the vehicle body on the top and both sides above the axle. The bottom of the wheel remains exposed.
External: The wheels must be completely outside the vehicle body. No portion of the body may cover any part of the wheel from the top or sides.
The front and rear axles must use opposite configurations (one internal, one external).
One set of wheels(front or rear) must be external (outside 35mm) and the other set of wheels must be internal(shell). Participant choice on either Front or Rear.
Drone Challenge (UAV)
Engineering Design
Theme: Engineering the Future of Energy: engineering solutions that improve the generation, storage, conservation, distribution, or use of energy.
Fashion Design and Technology
Hybrid Racer XL
Annual Design Requirement
Must hold or pull/drag one 5-ounce fishing weight, provided on-site. Design must include a hitch to attach weight at rear of car. Provided fishing weights: https://a.co/d/05yQLCZx
A model solar track on top of carpet will be the floor surface at the 2027 National TSA Conference.
Interior Design
Design Challenge: Tiny Living, Big Impact
A nonprofit organization is developing a Tiny Home Community for young adults transitioning into independent living.
Your firm has been selected to design the interior of one model home that maximizes comfort, storage, functionality, and affordability within a limited footprint.
The home should feel welcoming while demonstrating innovative space-saving solutions.
Required Spaces
Include:
- Living area
- Kitchenette
- Sleeping area
- Bathroom
- Workspace
- Storage
Design Considerations
Students should demonstrate:
- Multifunctional furniture
- Universal Design principles
- Sustainable materials
- Efficient circulation
- Creative storage solutions
- Residential lighting design
Budget
Material budget: $28,000
Manufacturing Prototype
Music Production
Theme: Compose an original, dynamic soundtrack for a climactic boss battle in a futuristic or fantasy video game. Your music should portray the intensity of the encounter through creative composition, sound design, and production techniques. The track should build escalating tension, feature dramatic contrasts and powerful climaxes, and be suitable for seamless looping during continuous gameplay.