Animatronics
Participants demonstrate knowledge of mechanical and control systems by designing, fabricating and controlling an animatronics device that will communicate, entertain, inform, demonstrate and/or illustrate a topic, idea, subject or concept. Sound, lights and a surrounding environment must accompany the device.
Architectural Renovation
Participants (one entry per individual or team) develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual architectural design challenge and construct a physical, as well as a computer-generated model, to accurately depict their design.
Biotechnology Design
Participants (one entry per team) select a contemporary biotechnology problem (that relates to the current year’s published area of focus) and demonstrate understanding of it through documented research, the development of a solution, a display, and an effective multimedia presentation.
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production
Participants (team of two members) design, fabricate, and demonstrate their ability to use a CNC machine to produce mousetrap car parts. The assembled entry is evaluated for the distance it travels and proper documentation.
Digital Video Production
Participants (one entry per team) develop a digital video/film that focuses on the current year’s theme. Sound may accompany the film.
Dragster Design
Participants design, produce working drawings for, and build a CO2- powered dragster.
Engineering Design
Participants (team of three to five members, one entry per team) work to design and fabricate a device that will meet the specific needs of a person with a disability. Through use of a model/prototype, display, and design notebook, participants document and justify their identified problem and solution, as well as the solution’s impact on a member of their community and on society. Semifinalists demonstrate the problem and solution in a timed presentation.
Fashion Design
Participants (team of two to four members) research, develop and create garment designs, garment mock- ups, and portfolios that reflect the current year’s published theme. Semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they present their potential garment designs to the judges on a TSA runway.
Flight Endurance
Participants analyze flight principles with a rubber band-powered model aircraft.
Manufacturing Prototype
Participants design and manufacture a prototype of a product (designated annually) and provide a description of how the product could be manufactured in a state-of-the-art American manufacturing facility.
Music Production
Participants produce an original musical piece that is designed to be played during the national TSA conference opening or closing general session.
On Demand Video
Participants write, shoot, and edit a sixty second video on site at the conference.
Open Source Software Development
Participants work as part of a team to participate in the development, debugging, and documentation of a new or existing open source software project. Through a multimedia presentation and notebook, the team explains in detail how it has contributed to the project.
SciVis
Participants (one entry per team) develop a visualization focusing on a subject or topic from one or more of the following areas: science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Transportation Modeling
Participants use engineering skills to design and fabricate a CO2-powered scale model of a vehicle that meets the current year’s stated design theme.
Video Game Design
Participants (one entry per team) develop an E-rated game that focuses on the subject of their choice.
Webmaster
Participants (team of three to five members) are required to design, build and launch a website that features their school's career and technology education program, the TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research topics pertaining to technology. Semifinalists participate in an on-site interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website, with an emphasis on Internet and web history, web design (school, chapter and design brief pages), and research about cutting edge advances in technology.
Participants demonstrate knowledge of mechanical and control systems by designing, fabricating and controlling an animatronics device that will communicate, entertain, inform, demonstrate and/or illustrate a topic, idea, subject or concept. Sound, lights and a surrounding environment must accompany the device.
Architectural Renovation
Participants (one entry per individual or team) develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual architectural design challenge and construct a physical, as well as a computer-generated model, to accurately depict their design.
Biotechnology Design
Participants (one entry per team) select a contemporary biotechnology problem (that relates to the current year’s published area of focus) and demonstrate understanding of it through documented research, the development of a solution, a display, and an effective multimedia presentation.
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production
Participants (team of two members) design, fabricate, and demonstrate their ability to use a CNC machine to produce mousetrap car parts. The assembled entry is evaluated for the distance it travels and proper documentation.
Digital Video Production
Participants (one entry per team) develop a digital video/film that focuses on the current year’s theme. Sound may accompany the film.
Dragster Design
Participants design, produce working drawings for, and build a CO2- powered dragster.
Engineering Design
Participants (team of three to five members, one entry per team) work to design and fabricate a device that will meet the specific needs of a person with a disability. Through use of a model/prototype, display, and design notebook, participants document and justify their identified problem and solution, as well as the solution’s impact on a member of their community and on society. Semifinalists demonstrate the problem and solution in a timed presentation.
Fashion Design
Participants (team of two to four members) research, develop and create garment designs, garment mock- ups, and portfolios that reflect the current year’s published theme. Semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they present their potential garment designs to the judges on a TSA runway.
Flight Endurance
Participants analyze flight principles with a rubber band-powered model aircraft.
Manufacturing Prototype
Participants design and manufacture a prototype of a product (designated annually) and provide a description of how the product could be manufactured in a state-of-the-art American manufacturing facility.
Music Production
Participants produce an original musical piece that is designed to be played during the national TSA conference opening or closing general session.
On Demand Video
Participants write, shoot, and edit a sixty second video on site at the conference.
Open Source Software Development
Participants work as part of a team to participate in the development, debugging, and documentation of a new or existing open source software project. Through a multimedia presentation and notebook, the team explains in detail how it has contributed to the project.
SciVis
Participants (one entry per team) develop a visualization focusing on a subject or topic from one or more of the following areas: science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Transportation Modeling
Participants use engineering skills to design and fabricate a CO2-powered scale model of a vehicle that meets the current year’s stated design theme.
Video Game Design
Participants (one entry per team) develop an E-rated game that focuses on the subject of their choice.
Webmaster
Participants (team of three to five members) are required to design, build and launch a website that features their school's career and technology education program, the TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research topics pertaining to technology. Semifinalists participate in an on-site interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website, with an emphasis on Internet and web history, web design (school, chapter and design brief pages), and research about cutting edge advances in technology.