THEMES AND PROBLEMS
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- Biotechnology
- Career Prep
- Challenging Technology Issues
- Children's Stories
- Coding
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science and Analytics
- Digital Photography
Biotechnology
Career Prep
Theme: Select a career from one (1) of the following:
- Bioenergy Technicians
- Data Architect
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Nurse Practitioner
Challenging Technology Issues
- Genetic Testing and Counseling
- Animal Testing for Scientific Research
- The Use of Drones for Surveillance
- Privatization of Space Travel
- Nanotechnology in Consumer Goods
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
Cybersecurity
Data Science and Analytics
Determine the potential "movie success" of a fictitious feature film based on different public metrics, such as, but not limited to box office revenue, date of release, movie genre (selected by the team), movie production budget, and more.
Digital Photography
HIGH SCHOOL
- Photographic Technology
- Prepared Presentation
- Promotional Design
- Robotics
- STEM Mass Media
- Structural Design and Engineering
- Transportation Modeling
- Video Game Design
Photographic Technology
Using five photographs, tell a story about your journey in TSA. The type of photo (color, black and white, macro, still life, and student choice) should add to the impact of the story you are sharing.
Prepared Presentation
Promotional Design
Robotics
STEM Mass Media
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are advanced technologies that enable direct communication between the brain and computers. Using electrodes placed on the scalp, BCIs detect brain signals that are then translated into commands for computers. These signals can control various applications, from typing messages to playing video games, solely through thought. BCIs have practical applications beyond entertainment; they assist individuals with disabilities by allowing them to operate prosthetic limbs or communicate when speech is impaired. BCIs represent a remarkable intersection of neuroscience and computer science, offering promising solutions for both medical and technological advancements.
Based on the following headline (link below), develop a news broadcast that includes an introduction of the headline, a summary of the information in the news story, and an explanation of potential future implications of the highlighted work.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1039721Structural Design and Engineering
Transportation Modeling
Video Game Design