STATE COMPETITION

Registration is now open!

The 2026 TEAMS state-level competition window is January 14 through February 18, 2026. 

Once your team(s) is/are registered and payment or purchase order is received, you will gain access to information in your coach online account.

TEAMS payments are non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of status of in-person instruction at the time the competition takes place (January 14 - February 18, 2026).

Registration Cost

The registration fee is $150 per team and $100 per additional team at the same school.  

Registration payment or school purchase order must be received by the Technology Student Association (TSA), no later than January 9, 2026. 

Discount Codes

Discounted TEAMS registration fees are available to the following schools:

•  Schools with active TSA chapters: TSA2026
•  Project Lead the Way (PLTW) schools: PLTW2026
  
•  Engineering by Design (EbD) schools: ITEEA2026

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, or other engineering challenges. Undertaking these challenges requires critical job-readiness skills, such as collaboration, analytical thinking, and multi-dimensional problem solving. The 2026 TEAMS theme is “Engineering the Past."

The following engineering disciplines will be considered when developing the content used in each of the four competition components for both the state-level and national-level competitions. 

Consider what it means to these disciplines to "engineer the past."

• Structural Engineering: Ensuring the stability and integrity of aging buildings and monuments. Evaluating how time, weather, and human activity affect old materials and frameworks.
• Civil Engineering: Designing and restoring infrastructure such as historic bridges, roads, railroads, and canals over different terrain.
• Architectural Engineering: Integrating modern systems (HVAC, lighting) into old buildings without damaging their character.
• Materials Engineering: Studying the degradation and preservation of traditional materials like stone, brick, wood, lime mortar, and wrought iron.
• Geotechnical Engineering: Understanding the shifting soils and foundations under old structures.
• Environmental Engineering: Applying sustainable practices when updating old buildings for modern use (e.g., energy efficiency).
• Electrical Engineering: Adding the transmission and generation of power to historic buildings.
• Computer Engineering: Using technology (big data, AI, processing) to aid in the application of engineering adaptations for restoration and preservation.

Important Dates

• August 15, 2025: Online registration opens
• November 2025: Multiple choice exam scenario overviews and practice questions available
• December 2025: Essay prompt and design/build materials list available
• January 2026: National TEAMS Competitions hotel reservations open
• January 9, 2026: Registration for state-level competition closes
• January 9, 2026: Competition materials available
• January 12, 2026: Deadline for middle school essay submission
• January 13, 2026: Deadline for high school essay submission
• January 14 - February 18, 2026: State-level competition window
• March 2026: State rankings posted on TEAMS website; teams notified of eligibility for National TEAMS Competitions
• June 22 - 26, 2026: National TEAMS Competitions in Washington, DC

Competition Format

During state-level competitions, teams of two to four 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 December 2025 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 9, 2026.  The challenge instructions are confidential and must not be shared with team members until the start of the competition. 

Multiple Choice Exam

High school teams may take up to 60 minutes to solve 40 multiple choice questions focused on four engineering scenarios related to the annual theme. Middle school teams are allotted 60 minutes to solve 30 multiple choice questions.

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 9, 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 2026 essay prompt, regulations, and scoring rubric will be available December 2025 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 9, 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 12th. High school essays are due January 13th.

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. 

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.

Host Site Locations

Georgia Institute of Technology

• Competition Date: February 6, 2026
• Location: Atlanta, Georgia

 University of North Dakota

• Competition Date: TBD 
• Location: TBD

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-level Rankings 

The annual state-level TEAMS competitions offer student teams from across the country an opportunity to compete in a variety of STEM challenges. 

The state overall rankings determine which teams receive Best-in-State awards. State-level 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 2026 state-level rankings, teams whose combined overall state level score is among the top nationally are eligible to compete for best-in-nation at the 2026 National TEAMS Competitions held during the National TSA Conference in Washington, DC June 22 - 26, 2026. 

Top ranking teams will be notified via email of their eligibility after rankings are posted in March 2026. Registration for the national conference is based on a first-come, first-served basis.