1. FAQs

Use this registration link from September 1, 2023 to January 18, 2024,to register your teams.

Teams that register to compete pay $150 per team and $100 per additional team registered at the same school.  

Online registration opens September 1, 2023. It is recommended that teams register as early as possible since access to competition resource material is available only after registration has been completed.  The deadline for registration is January 18, 2024.

Yes, you may register multiple teams. However, while more than one team from a school/group can participate, each student may only compete once and must choose to compete for either his/her school or group, not both.

Yes. Teams can be added by contacting the TEAMS Manager, Amber Williams awilliams@tsaweb.org until the registration deadline of January 18, 2024.

Registration closes on January 18, 2024. As stated in the TEAMS policies, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

A list of discount codes for eligible schools is available on the TEAMS website under "Discount Codes." 

You do not report your competition date to TSA. All competition documents must be submitted within the competition window of February 1 - March 1, 2024.

Teams must consist of 2-4 students.

Student names are not collected for the TEAMS competition.

There are two levels: middle school and high school. Middle school TEAMS participants are in 6^th – 8^th grade; fifth grade and ninth grade students may participate at a middle school if they are housed in the building within the middle school. High school TEAMS participants are in 9^th grade through 12^th grade.

Students in middle school and high school are eligible to compete in TEAMS. Students may attend middle and high schools (public, private, homeschool), or belong to youth groups, or clubs and organizations (Boy/Girl Scouts, 4-H, Junior Achievement, etc.). Learn more about TEAMS participation levels and divisions.

The 2024 competition window is February 1 - March 1, 2024.  The team coach chooses one day to compete within the competition window.  The essay component is submitted prior to the competition window opening. Middle school essays are due January 29, 2024. High school essays are due January 31, 2024.

The TEAMS competitions must take place in-person locally. It is the coach's responsibility to secure a space in which to host the competition (i.e., school classroom, gymnasium, library, local community center). This space must adhere to your school's student safety protocols.  

Teams from different schools/groups may compete together. It is up to the discretion of the coach to reach out to other TEAMS coaches in order to coordinate competition date, time, location and manage the event.

Any person over the age of 18 that is out of high school may serve as the proctor. The team coach may also serve as proctor. One proctor per team is recommended.

Middle school essays must be submitted by January 29, 2024. High school essays must be submitted by January 31, 2024.

One team member must submit the answers in the online testing system.  An electronic copy of the exam is provided and may be printed for use during the exam only. All printed copies must be handed in after the time is up and destroyed by the coach.

Teams whose combined overall state level score is among the top nationally will be eligible to compete at the National TEAMS Competitions.

• Design/Build: Using designated materials, teams complete a hands-on design challenge related to the annual competition theme. This component must be completed and submitted during the competition window of February 1 – March 1, 2024.
• Multiple Choice: High school teams can take up to 60 minutes to solve 40 multiple choice questions focused on four engineering scenarios related to the annual competition theme. Middle school teams have 90 minutes to solve 40 multiple choice questions. This component must be completed and submitted during the competition window of February 1 – March 1, 2024.
• Essay: Each team researches and writes an in-depth essay. Middle school essays must be submitted by January 29, 2024. High school essays must be submitted by January 31, 2024.

Competition overviews are released which highlight the general engineering topics that will be presented the day of the competition. The overviews can be used to your team's advantage when preparing. For example:

• Encourage your team members to begin researching unfamiliar terms and engineering principles.
• Ask students to consider the challenge that is presented and explore what types of engineers might be involved in developing the solution(s).
• Incorporate the hands-on activities into practice sessions.

Practice problems from prior competitions are available in the password-protected coach account to familiarize students with the type of questions that are posed in the multiple choice exam section.