TSA Competitive Events Eligibility

	A	B	C
1	2026-2027 TSA MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITIVE EVENTS ELIGIBILITY
2	The Competitions	Eligibility	Description

3	Audio Podcasting	three (3) teams per state; individual entries are permitted	Participants use digital audio technology to create original content for a podcast piece that addresses the annual theme. The podcast must feature high level storytelling techniques, voice acting, and folly sound effects. The full entry must include documentation of the podcast development process and elements. Semifinalists complete an onsite challenge to produce an additional podcast(s).
4	Biotechnology	five (5) teams per state, consisting of at least three (3) individuals	To address the annual theme, participants select a contemporary biotechnology issue and demonstrate understanding of the topic through their documented research and an original display. Semifinalists participate in an interview.
5	Career Prep	one (1) individual per chapter	Based on the annual theme, participants conduct research on a technology-related career, prepare a letter of introduction to a potential employer, and develop a job-specific resume. Semifinalists participate in a mock job interview.
6	Challenging Technology Issues	three (3) teams of two (2) individuals per state	Following the onsite random selection of a technology topic from a group of pre-conference posted topics, participants work to prepare for and deliver a debate-style presentation, in which they explain opposing views of the selected topic.
7	Chapter Team	one (1) team of six (6) individuals per chapter	Participants take a parliamentary procedure test to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists conduct an opening ceremony, items of business, parliamentary actions, and a closing ceremony.
8	Children’s Stories	three (3) teams per state; individual entries are permitted	Participants create an illustrated children’s story based on the annual theme. The entry product is a physical storybook of artistic, instructional, and social value. Semifinalists read their story aloud and participate in an interview.
9	Coding	one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter	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.
10	Community Service Video	one (1) team per chapter; individual entries are permitted	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.
11	Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Foundations	two (2) individuals per state	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.
12	Construction Challenge	one (1) team of at least two (2) individuals per chapter	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.
13	Cybersecurity	three (3) individuals per chapter	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.
14	Data Science and Analytics	three (3) teams of two to three (2-3) individuals per state	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.
15	Digital Photography	three (3) individuals per state	Participants produce and submit a digital photographic portfolio that relates to the annual theme. Semifinalists participate in an onsite photographic challenge and a presentation/interview.
16	Dragster	two (2) individuals per chapter	Participants design, draw, and construct a CO2-powered dragster that adheres to the annual specifications, design and documentation requirements, and theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview and compete in a double-elimination race.
17	Drone Challenge (UAV)	three (3) teams of two (2) individuals per state	Teams study the principles of flight and research the use of drones to address an annual theme. They demonstrate their knowledge of drones in manual flight missions and create a documentation portfolio. Semifinalists participate in an onsite interview.
18	Electrical Applications	one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter	Participants take a test on basic electrical and electronic theory. In response to an onsite challenge, semifinalists assemble a specified circuit from a schematic diagram, make required electrical measurements, and explain their solution in an interview.
19	Flight	two (2) individuals per chapter	Participants submit a documentation portfolio and fabricate a glider designed to stay in flight for the greatest elapsed time. Semifinalists use their technical drawing skills to construct a glider that is flown onsite.
20	Forensic Technology	one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter	Participants take a test of basic forensic science theory to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists participate in an onsite forensic skills demonstration.
21	Inventions and Innovations	one (1) team of two (2) to four (4) individuals per chapter	Participants research a need - and brainstorm a solution - for an invention or innovation that can be produced using recycled materials. Participants document their work in an interactive display and create a model/prototype. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their work and participate in an interview.
22	Leadership Strategies	three (3) teams of three (3) individuals per state	Participants prepare for and deliver a presentation about a specific challenge that officers of a TSA chapter might encounter. Semifinalists follow the same competition procedure but must respond to a different chapter challenge.
23	Mass Production	one (1) team of at least three (3) individuals per chapter	Participants manufacture a marketable product that addresses the annual theme. The development of the product prototype is documented in a portfolio that presents participant knowledge and skills related to the mass production process. Through a demonstration of the prototype and an interview, semifinalists support the viability of the prototype.
24	Mechanical Engineering	one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter	Participants design, document, and build a mechanical device (working catapult) that incorporates the elements of the annual theme/problem. Finalists are determined based on an evaluation of the documentation portfolio and participation in a head-to-head bracket.
25	Medical Technology	three (3) teams of two to three (2-3) individuals per state	Participants conduct research on a contemporary medical technology issue related to the annual theme, document their research, create a display, and build a prototype. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their entry and participate in an interview.
26	Microcontroller Design	one (1) team per chapter; individual entries are permitted	To address the annual theme/problem, participants design and create a working digital device, document the development process, and demonstrate their product as part of a presentation
27	Off the Grid	three (3) teams per state; individual entries are permitted	In response to the annual theme, participants conduct research on a sustainable architectural design for a home in a specified country. They then produce a portfolio and create a display and a model. Semifinalists present their design and participate in an interview.
28	Prepared Speech	three (3) individuals per state	Participants deliver a timed speech that relates to the theme of the current national TSA conference. Semifinalists and finalists are determined using the same competition procedure.
29	Problem Solving	one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter	Participants use problem-solving skills to design and build a solution to an onsite challenge. Solutions are evaluated using measures appropriate to the challenge, such as elapsed time, horizontal or vertical distance, and/or strength.
30	Promotional Marketing	one (1) individual per chapter	Participants create and submit a marketing portfolio and required elements that address the annual theme/problem. Semifinalists complete a layout and design assignment for evaluation.
31	Robotics	three (3) teams of two to six (2-6) team members per state	Participants design, build, document, and test a robot assembled using open-sourced parts according to stated specifications and to meet the challenge of the yearly theme/problem.
32	Solar Racer	one (1) team of two to four (2-4) individuals per chapter; one (1) entry per team	Participants apply STEM concepts, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to design, construct, and race a solar-powered model car. Documentation of the process is required.
33	STEM Animation	three (3) teams of at least two (2) individuals per state	Participants design and create a STEM animation video and documentation portfolio to address the annual theme/problem. Semifinalists present their animation and explain the elements of their portfolio/entry.
34	Structural Engineering	one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter	Participants apply the principles of structural engineering to design and construct a structure that complies with the annual challenge. An assessment of the required documentation and the destructive testing of the structure (to determine its design efficiency) determine both semifinalists and finalists.
35	System Control Technology	one (1) team of three (3) individuals per state	In response to a challenge presented onsite at the conference, participants analyze a problem (typically one in an industrial setting), build and program a computer-controlled mechanical model to solve the problem, explain the program and the features of the mechanical model solution, and provide instructions for evaluators to operate the device.
36	Tech Bowl	one (1) team of three (3) individuals per chapter	Participants demonstrate their knowledge of TSA and concepts addressed in technology content standards by completing an objective test. Semifinalists participate in a head-to-head, team competition.
37	Technical Design	one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter	Participants demonstrate their ability to use the technical design process to solve an engineering design problem provided onsite at the conference. Required elements of the entry are presented in a portfolio that includes technical drawings for a minimum of three viable solutions.
38	Video Game Design	one (1) team of two (2) to six (6) individuals per chapter	Participants design, build, provide documentation for, and launch an E-rated, online game on a subject of their choice. Onsite at the conference, semifinalists deliver a presentation and participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the game.
39	Website Design	one (1) team of at least three (3) and a maximum of six (6) individuals per chapter	To address the annual challenge, participants design, build, provide documentation for, and launch a website that incorporates the elements of website design, graphic layout, and proper coding techniques. Semifinalists participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website.
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