High School

Architectural Design: Participants (individual or team event consisting of 1-6 participants per team, maximum of 4 teams per chapter,) develop a set of architectural plans and related materials in response to an annual architectural design challenge and construct a physical, as well as a computer-generated model, to accurately depict their design. Participants must demonstrate an understanding of and aptitude for architectural design, the development of plans, modeling techniques and practice, and the awareness of the role that the built environment can play in human behavior and interactions.

Chapter Team: (Written and Oral) Participants (team event consisting of 4-6 individuals, 2 teams per chapter, team members do not have to be elected officers of the local TSA chapter) take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to qualify for the semifinals, in which they complete an opening ceremony, items of business, parliamentary actions, and a closing ceremony within a specified time period.

Children’s Stories: Participants (individual or team event consisting of 1-2 members, 3 teams per chapter) create an illustrated children's story of high artistic, instructional, and social value. The narrative may be written in prose or poetry and take the form of a fable, adventure story, or other structure. The physical story book should be of high quality and designed to reflect the theme for the year. The story must have a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focus.

Coding: Participants (1 individual or one-team 1-3 members, 4 teams per chapter) respond to an annual coding-related design challenge by developing a software program that will accurately address an onsite problem in a specified, limited amount of time.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD), 2D Architecture: Participants (individual event, maximum of 12 participants per chapter, entries limited to 1 per person) use complex computer graphic skills, tools, and processes to develop representations of architectural subjects, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry. This is a BYOD event. (Bring Your Own Device). Participants must bring their own computer system, power strip and CAD software

Computer-Aided Design (CAD), 3-D Engineering: Participants (individual event, maximum of 12 participants per chapter, entries limited to 1 per person) use complex computer graphic skills, tools, and processes to develop three-dimensional representations of engineering subjects such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product. This is a BYOD event. (Bring Your Own Device). Participants must bring their own computer system, power strip and CAD software.

Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM): Participants (team event consisting of 2-4 members, maximum of five teams per chapter) design, fabricate, and use CIM to create a promotional product.

Debating Technological Issues: Participants (team event consisting of two members, maximum of five teams per chapter) work together to prepare for a debate against a team from another chapter. The teams will be instructed to take either the pro or the con side of a selected subtopic.

Digital Video Production: Participants (team event consisting of 2-4 students per team, max of 5 teams per chapter) develop a digital video (with sound) that reflects the theme for the year. Pre-Requisite Required!

Dragster Design: Participants (individual event, maximum of 12 participants per chapter) design, produce a working drawing for, and build a CO2-powered dragster. Drawings are submitted on-site with the completed dragster.

Drone Technology: Drone skills, enables students to enter a wide range of industries using this new field of technology. The Drone Technology: Drone skills, enables students to enter a wide range of industries using this new field of technology.

Engineering Design: Participants (team event, consisting of 2-6 students per team, max of 5 teams per chapter) develop a solution to a National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge that is posted on the national TSA website. The solution offered will be informed and designed by precise problem definition—thorough research, creativity, experimentation (when possible)—and the development of documents and appropriate models (mathematical, graphical, and/or physical prototype/model). Semifinalist teams present and defend their proposed solution to a panel of judges.

Essays on Technology: Participants (individual event, maximum of 12 participants per chapter, entries limited to 1 per person) write a research-based essay (using two or more sources provided onsite) that makes insightful connections about a current technological topic.

Extemporaneous Speech: Participants (individual event, maximum of 12 participants per chapter) verbally communicate their knowledge of technology or TSA subjects by giving a speech after drawing a card on which a technology or TSA topic is written.

Fashion Design and Technology: Participants (team event consisting of 2-4 students per team, max of 4 teams per chapter) research, design, and create a portfolio and wearable prototype that reflect the theme for the year. Semifinalist teams participate in a presentation.

Flight Endurance: Participants (individual event, entries limited to 12 participants per chapter, 1 entry per individual) analyze flight principles with a rubber band-powered model aircraft. All models are to be built and test flown before the event date.

Music Production: Participants (individual or team event, maximum of 2 participants per team, 4 teams per chapter) produce an original musical piece that is designed to be played during the National TSA Conference opening or closing general sessions. Pre-Requisite Required!

On Demand Video: Participants (team event, 2 -4 participants per team, 4 teams per chapter) write, shoot, and edit a 60–second video onsite during the conference. This is a BYOD event. (Bring Your Own Device). Participants must bring their own camera, laptop or other device for editing and editing software.

Photographic Technology: Participants (individual event, maximum of 12 participants per chapter) demonstrate understanding of and expertise in using photographic and imaging technology processes to convey a message based on a theme. Preliminary participants submit a photographic portfolio to qualify for semifinalists. Documentation and pictures are to be submitted electronically. Semifinalists demonstrate expertise in photographic technology by producing two (2) portfolios within a limited, specified amount of time. This is a BYOD event. (Bring Your Own Device). Participants must bring their own camera, laptop or other device for editing and editing software. Pre-Requisite Required!

Prepared Presentation: Participants (individual event, maximum of 12 participants per chapter) deliver an oral presentation, using a digital slide deck, on a topic provided onsite.

Promotional Design: Participants (individual event, maximum of 12 participants per chapter, 1 entry per participant allowed) use computerized graphic communications layout and design skills in the production of a promotional resource for TSA. All of the required documentation and graphics are to be submitted electronically. Pre-Requisite Required!

Structural Design and Engineering: Participants (team event, 2 members, maximum of 4 teams per chapter) work as a team to build a designated structure that is posted on the TSA website. Teams apply the principles of structural design and engineering through research, design, construction, destructive testing, and assessment to determine the design efficiency of the structure. The structure must be built prior to the conference. Destructive testing at the conference will determine semi-finalists. Students will be required to wear safety-approved eyewear during the fabrication and structure check-in phase of this event.

System Control Technology (Demo): Participants (team event consisting of 2-3 members, maximum of five teams per chapter) work onsite to develop a computer-controlled model-solution to a problem, typically one from an industrial setting. Teams analyze the problem, build a computer-controlled mechanical model, program the model, explain the program and mechanical features of the model-solution, and write instructions for evaluators to operate the device.

Technology Bowl (Written and Oral): Participants (team event, max of 2 teams per chapter, must have 3 participants per team approved by the chapter advisor) demonstrate their knowledge of TSA and concepts addressed in the technology content standards by completing a written, objective test. Semifinalist teams participate in question/response, head-to-head team competition.

Technology Problem Solving: Participants (team event, max teams per chapter TBD, a team consists of two chapter members) use their skills in problem solving to develop a finite solution to a problem provided onsite.

Video Game Design: Participants (team event, 2-5 participants per team, and a max of five teams per chapter) [one entry per team] develop a game that reflects the theme for the year. The game must have high artistic, educational, and social value and be interesting, exciting, visually appealing, and intellectually challenging. A working, self-launching game must be submitted on a flash drive. Games submitted in download form or on a DVD will not be judged. Pre-Requisite Required!

TSA VEX Competition: Participants collaborate on a robotics project that explores the relationship among STEM fields, culminating in a head-to-head game to test their robot's efficiency and productivity. Rules can be found at RobotEvents.com. **TSA VEX Teams must also register at RobotEvents.com for scoring and ranking within VEX.