COMPETITIONS
TSA competitions provide an opportunity for students to take learning beyond the classroom and explore topics of career interest. TSA provides rules and guidelines, that can be integrated into your STEM curriculum, for more than 75 middle school and high school competitions.
TSA offers 36 middle school competitions. Click on a category below to view a list of TSA middle school competitions and their summary descriptions in that category.
Coding
To qualify for the semifinal round of competition, participants take a test that concentrates on computer science and coding. Semifinalists demonstrate their programming knowledge by developing a solution to an onsite coding challenge.
Community Service Video
Participants create a video that depicts the local TSA chapter’s
involvement in a community service project. Semifinalists deliver a presentation on the project and participate in an interview.
involvement in a community service project. Semifinalists deliver a presentation on the project and participate in an interview.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) Foundations
Participants demonstrate their understanding of CAD fundamentals by creating a two-dimensional (2D) graphic representation of an engineering part or object and answering questions from evaluators about their entry.
Construction Challenge
Participants submit a scale model, display, and documentation portfolio for a design idea and plan for their construction solution based on the annual theme. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their entry and participate in an interview.
Cybersecurity
Participants take a test that assesses knowledge of cybersecurity vocabulary and the skills needed to execute common cybersecurity tasks. Using digital presentation software, semifinalists deliver a presentation that addresses the annual theme/problem.
Data Science and Analytics
Participants conduct research on the annual topic and analyze the provided data set, document their research in supporting portfolio, and create a display. Semifinalist teams participate in an onsite presentation highlighting their pre-conference submission.
TSA offers 36 middle school competitions. Click on a category below to view a list of TSA middle school competitions and their summary descriptions in that category.
Engineering Design
Participants develop a solution to an annual theme that is based on a specific challenge noted by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in its compilation of the grand challenges for engineering in the 21st century. The solution will include a documentation portfolio, a display, and a model/prototype. Semifinalists deliver a presentation and participate in an interview.
Technology Problem Solving
Participants use problem-solving skills to design and construct a finite solution to a challenge provided onsite at the conference. Solutions are evaluated at the end of 90 minutes using measures appropriate to the challenge, such as elapsed time, horizontal or vertical distance, and/or strength.
Video Game Design
Participants design, build, and launch an E-rated online video game – with accompanying required documentation - that addresses the annual theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise they gained during the development of the game.