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STUDENTS

TSA provides middle and high school students opportunities for engagement in STEM competitions and activities, teamwork, leadership, networking, and community service.

REASONS TO JOIN TSA

  • STEM competitions
  • Career and technical skills development
  • Leadership opportunities 
  • Local, regional, state, and national conferences 
  • Achievement Program
  • Networking with members and industry professionals 
  • Scholarships and awards
  • FUN!

COMPETITIONS

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High School
Middle School

Interior Design

Applying leadership and 21st century skills, participants develop a color sample and material design board(s) used by interior designers to plan an overall cohesive design based on an annual challenge. Participants must demonstrate an understanding of and aptitude for interior design, developing design boards, and presenting a design interpretation. 

Manufacturing Prototype

Participants design, fabricate, and use Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) to create a product that addresses the annual theme. A documentation portfolio and the completed product prototype are submitted for evaluation. Semifinalists give a product “sales pitch” and demonstration.

Music Production

Participants produce an original musical piece that reflects the annual theme on the TSA website under Themes & Problems. The quality of the musical piece and required documentation (including elements such as a plan of work, self-evaluation, and a list of hardware, software, and instruments used) determines advancement to the semifinal level of competition, during which semifinalist participants are interviewed.

On Demand Video

Once participants receive the challenge details (required criteria, such as props and a line of dialogue) at the national TSA conference, they have 36 hours to produce a 60-second film that showcases video skills, tools, and communication processes. The quality of the completed video production determines the finalists.

Photographic Technology

Participants produce a photographic portfolio - demonstrating expertise in photo and imaging technology processes - to convey a message based on the annual theme. Semifinalists have 24 hours to complete a portfolio of photos (with required documentation) taken onsite at the national TSA conference. Finalists are determined based on the quality of the semifinal portfolio, the portfolio presentation, and interview responses.

Prepared Presentation

Participants deliver a three-to-five-minute oral presentation related to the current national TSA conference theme. Both semifinalists and finalists are determined based on the quality of the presentation and the appropriate use and content of the accompanying required slide deck.

Dragster

Participants design, draw, and construct a CO2-powered dragster that adheres to the annual specifications, design and documentation requirements, and theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview and compete in a double-elimination race.

Drone Challenge (UAV)

Teams study the principles of flight and research the use of drones to address an annual theme. They demonstrate their knowledge of drones in manual flight missions and create a documentation portfolio. Semifinalists participate in an onsite interview.

Flight

Participants submit a documentation portfolio and fabricate a glider designed to stay in flight for the greatest elapsed time. Semifinalists use their technical drawing skills to construct a glider that is flown onsite.

Mass Production

Participants manufacture a marketable product that addresses the annual theme. The development of the product prototype is documented in a portfolio that presents participant knowledge and skills related to the mass production process. Through a demonstration of the prototype and an interview, semifinalists support the viability of the prototype.

Mechanical Engineering

Participants design, document, and build a mechanical device (working catapult) that incorporates the elements of the annual theme/problem. Finalists are determined based on an evaluation of the documentation portfolio and participation in a head-to-head bracket.

Robotics

Participants design, build, document, and test a robot assembled using open-sourced parts according to stated specifications and to meet the challenge of the yearly theme/problem.

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