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 – Transportation Details
Topic: Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (https://www.census.gov/topics/employment/commuting.html), explore how people travel to work across the country. Look at key characteristics provided in the data set. Based on your analysis, create a set of data-driven criteria that could help predict how someone might commute to work. Support your criteria with evidence from the data.
Digital Photography
Theme: “Reflections”: Members will take four photos that fit the theme of “reflections,” such as water, mirrors, glass, etc.
Dragster
No theme for 2026, see official rules for specifications
Drone Challenge (UAV)
The topic of research is the use of drones for first responders, police or firefighters
Forensic Technology
Skills or Techniques
- Document Analysis: Forgery & Counterfeiting
- Trace Evidence: Glass & Paint
- Impression Analysis
Mass Production
Theme: Hobby Accessory
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Technology
Theme: Musculoskeletal Conditions & Modern Technologies: Teams will select a musculoskeletal condition and outline it in the display. Then, teams will select modern medical technology that will be highlighted in an informational pamphlet and multimedia video.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Photographic Technology
- Prepared Presentation
- Promotional Design
- Robotics
- Software Development
- STEM Mass Media
- Structural Design and Engineering
- Transportation Modeling
Photographic Technology
Theme: Photo Essay Series; Create a series of photos that tell a story
Prepared Presentation
Promotional Design
Theme: Create promotional materials for a chapter-hosted event in which TSA alumni return to the chapter to share career stories, run workshops, and mentor students. The promotional items must include:
- an event information flyer
- a social media promotional graphic
- a name badge template
- a promotional item of the participant’s choice
Participants should use the following details in the designs:
Robotics
Software Development
Develop a software program that removes barriers and increases accessibility for people with vision or hearing disabilities.
STEM Mass Media
Headline: The green past of the Saharo-Arabian Desert: Cave deposits reveal recurring humid periods over eight million years
These wetter intervals likely enabled the migration of mammals, including early human ancestors, between Africa and Eurasia—despite the desert’s role as a natural barrier. The study highlights the powerful influence of climate change on human and animal history, as well as the importance of cave formations as records of ancient weather patterns. Using isotopic analysis and radiometric dating, the team also discovered that the decline of monsoonal rainfall was caused by long-term cooling in the Northern Hemisphere, which shifted rain belts southward.
Prompt: Based on the following headline, 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/1079999
Structural Design and Engineering
Transportation Modeling