STATE COMPETITION
The TEAMS state competition takes place nationwide in January and February. More than 5,000 students will compete during the competition window—vying for state rankings and awards.
NCTM 
Competition Site 
Competition Division 
Annual Theme 
Register Now 
Awards & Rankings 
Competition Format 
Important Dates National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Through a dynamic partnership, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Technology Student Association (TSA) will collaboratively operate the TEAMS program to strengthen the mathematics, science, and engineering experience for middle and high school students. Together, NCTM and TSA will develop rigorous competition challenges and high-quality educational resources that inspire innovation, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving while supporting educators and preparing students for future success in STEM.
Registration for the 2027 TEAMS state competition is now open!
Registration Cost
Registration fees for the TEAMS state competition are structured as follows:
- $300 for schools registering up to five teams
- $400 for schools registering six to ten teams
- $500 for schools registering eleven or more teams
Registration payment or school purchase order must be received by the Technology Student Association (TSA), no later than January 8, 2027.
Discount Codes
- Active TSA chapters use code TSA2027 to receive a 10% discount.
- Active NCTM members use code NCTM2027 to receive a 10% discount.
Annual Theme
Focused on a new theme each year, original academic and innovative concepts are developed for the TEAMS competition based on the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and other engineering challenges. Undertaking these challenges requires critical job-readiness skills, such as collaboration, analytical thinking, and multi-dimensional problem solving. The 2027 TEAMS theme is “Engineering a Smarter World."
The following engineering disciplines will be considered when developing the content used in each of the four competition components for both the state and national competitions.
Consider what it means to these disciplines to "engineer a smarter world."
- Civil Engineering: Designing resilient infrastructure, smart cities, intelligent transportation systems, and sustainable communities that improve safety, mobility, and efficiency.
- Computer Engineering: Designing the hardware, embedded systems, processors, and networking technologies that power smart devices, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence.
- Electrical Engineering: Developing sensors, communication systems, electronics, and power technologies that enable connected devices, robotics, and smart energy systems.
- Environmental Engineering: Creating sustainable solutions for clean water, renewable energy, waste management, pollution control, and environmentally responsible infrastructure.
- Industrial Engineering – Optimizing manufacturing, logistics, supply chains, warehouses, and automated processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and resource management.
- Mechanical Engineering – Designing machines, robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, and mechanical systems that improve automation and solve real-world engineering challenges.
- Robotics Engineering – Integrating mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to design autonomous robots that assist in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, transportation, and disaster response.
- Software Engineering – Developing software, artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and cybersecurity solutions that enable intelligent decision-making and connected technologies.
- Systems Engineering – Integrating multiple engineering disciplines to design, manage, and optimize complex systems such as smart cities, autonomous transportation networks, and intelligent energy grids.
Competition Division
New for 2027: Coaches must select a competition division for each team during registration. Competition divisions may be updated under the Divisions tab in the coach account until January 8th.
Teams are registered for a competition division based on the highest-level mathematics course completed or currently being taken by any team member.
There are two divisions per competition level:
Middle School Teal Division
No team member has completed or is currently enrolled in Algebra I or a more advanced mathematics course.
Middle School Purple Division
At least one team member has completed or is currently enrolled in Algebra I or a more advanced mathematics course.
High School Teal Division
High School Purple Division
Important Dates
- August 17, 2026: Online registration opens
- August 2026: Multiple Choice exam scenario overviews available in coach accounts
- September 2026: Multiple Choice exam practice problems and additional resources available
- November 2026: Essay prompt and rubric available
- December 2026: Design/Build materials list available
- January 8, 2027: Registration for state competition closes; state competition materials available in coach accounts
- January 11, 2027: Deadline for middle school essay submission
- January 12, 2027: Deadline for high school essay submission
- January 13 - February 20, 2027: State competition window
- March 2027: State competition scores and rankings available; teams notified of eligibility for National TEAMS Competition
- April 2027: National competition registration opens on a first come, first served basis
- June 23 - 27, 2027: National TEAMS Competition in Orlando, Florida
Competition Format
During the TEAMS state competition, teams of four to six students collaborate on the following components:
Design/Build Challenge
Using designated materials, teams work to complete a hands-on design challenge related to the annual competition theme. The team coach must supply one set of materials to each team. A materials list will be available by December 2026 in the coach online account. It is up to the coach's discretion as to where to purchase the materials. Materials may also be collected from existing supplies.
The Design/Build Challenge instructions will be posted in the coach online account under the "Resources" tab by January 8, 2027. The challenge instructions are confidential and must not be shared with team members until the start of the competition.
Multiple Choice Exam
High school and middle school teams may take up to 60 minutes to solve 40 multiple choice questions focused on four engineering scenarios related to the annual theme.
A digital copy of the exam and instructions for accessing the online testing system will be posted in the coach online account under the "Resources" tab by January 8, 2026. The exam is confidential and must not be shared with team members until the start of the competition.
Essay
Each team researches and writes an in-depth essay, then submits the essay electronically before the start of the competition. The 2027 essay prompt, regulations, and scoring rubric will be available November 2026 in the coach online account under the "Resources" tab.
Essay submission links will be posted in the coach online account under the "Resources" tab by January 8, 2026. Essays must be submitted using the essay submission link provided. Essays will not be accepted via email. Allow adequate time to upload your essay(s). Middle school essays are due January 11th. High school essays are due January 12th.
Mathematical Modeling Exam
Teams must develop a mathematical model to determine a solution based on given data. Teams will have 60 minutes to develop this model and verify that it will work.
Awards and Recognition
The following awards and recognition are made available to TEAMS participants:
- Participation certificates are provided digitally for all competitors.
- Digital badges are provided for the top three teams at each level, per state.
- Best-In-State certificates are provided digitally for the top three teams at each level, per state.
- Best-In-State receives a banner to display in school.
State Competition Rankings
The annual TEAMS state competition offers student teams from across the country an opportunity to compete in a variety of STEM challenges.
The state competition overall rankings determine which teams receive Best-in-State awards. State competition rankings are provided for each of the four competition components: Essay, Design/Build, Multiple Choice, and Mathematical Modeling. Overall Best-in-State rankings are determined by combining all four of these scores.
Based on the 2027 state rankings, teams whose combined overall state score is among the top nationally are eligible to compete for best-in-nation at the 2026 National TEAMS Competition held during the National TSA Conference in Orlando, Florida from June 23 - 27, 2027.
Top ranking teams will be notified via email of their eligibility after rankings are posted in March 2027. Registration for the national conference is based on a first-come, first-served basis.
State TEAMS rankings from 2017–2026 are available upon request.
Competition Site Options
TEAMS competitions are held at schools nationwide each year through partnerships with high school and middle school educators. Teams may compete at their own school, a local site, a neighboring school, or a host university. All teams receive the same competition materials electronically and are judged the same regardless of where they participate.
Compete locally
Coaches may hold the competition at their own school for their own students. You may also choose to hold the competition at a local site, such as a community center or library, as long as the space adheres to your school's student safety protocols. The TEAMS Coach Guide provides instructions on how to plan for competition day.
Partner with a team in your area
Coaches may choose to partner with other teams in their area to host the competition at their school. If you choose to host the competition with other teams at your school, you must:
- Serve as the main point-of-contact for the event
- Set a schedule for the day
- Secure and coordinate proctors (coaches may act as proctor)
- Prepare the competition area
The following items are required for each team. These items must be brought to the competition by the visiting team, unless the host has specified otherwise:
- One set of design/build materials
- One set of printed design/build instructions
- One set of printed multiple choice exam instructions
- One set of printed mathematical modeling exam instructions
- One laptop computer with internet access
Participate at a nearby university
Teams may compete at a collegiate host site. There is a limited number of collegiate host sites available. If you would like to compete at a collegiate host site, you must:
- Check the complete list of available collegiate host sites to determine if there is a location convenient for you
- Review the Host Site FAQ
- Register for the TEAMS competition through TSA
- Complete and submit the Host Site Request form (located in registration confirmation email)
- Receive a confirmation from the host site that your request has been approved
Note: the deadline to submit a Host Site Request form is January 9th.
The following items are required for each team. These items must be brought to the competition by the participants, unless the collegiate host has specified otherwise:
- One set of design/build materials
- One laptop computer with internet access
Please note (for all competition site options):
- TSA does not: report the competition location and date; provide a hard copy of written materials; collect additional fees for any costs related to hosting
- Each team is responsible for their registration and submission of the four competition components (essay, design/build, multiple choice, mathematical modeling) as instructed. This process is the same regardless of where you choose to compete.
- If the competition is cancelled for any reason (including weather or changes to in-person learning) it is the coach's responsibility to reschedule the competition. TEAMS registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.