2025 State Rankings

Registration is now closed.

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). 

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

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 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.  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 90 minutes to solve 40 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.  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 in the coach online account under the "Resources" tab.

Essay submission links will be posted in the coach online account under the "Resources" tab. 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). 

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 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 8th. 

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 three competition components (essay, design/build, multiple choice) 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.

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 three competition components: Essay, Design/Build, and Multiple Choice. Overall Best-in-State rankings are determined by combining all three 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 - June 26, 2026. 

Top ranking teams will be notified via email of their eligibility after rankings are posted in March 2026.