Competitions

TSA runs 40+ competitive events at the national level and Georgia TSA runs 70+ at the state level. Events are grouped by career category. Browse below — there is a competition for whatever you're into. You can enter 1 to 3 events per year. Talk to Mr. [advisor] if you're not sure which one fits you best.

This is a browse list, not the official rulebook. Always confirm event rules, deliverables, and eligibility with the current National TSA and Georgia TSA event guides linked at the bottom of this page.

Architecture & Construction Technology

•    Architectural Design — develop plans and build a physical + computer-generated model of a designed structure

•    Structural Design & Engineering — design, build, and test a structure to a required load specification

Communications Technology

•    Digital Video Production — produce a short film based on the annual theme

•    On-Demand Video — receive a challenge onsite at nationals, produce a 60-second film in 36 hours

•    Music Production — produce an original musical piece for the national conference closing session

•    Podcasting — produce an original podcast with voice acting, storytelling, and foley sound

•    Photographic Technology — build a photo portfolio around the annual theme

•    Prepared Presentation — deliver a research-based presentation on a technology topic

•    Promotional Design — design a marketing/promo campaign, submitted digitally

Computer Science & Information Technology

•    Software Development — design and build a software product with documentation

•    Video Game Design — design and build a playable video game with a documentation portfolio

•    Website Design — design and build a functional website addressing the annual theme

•    Coding — onsite coding challenges to test problem-solving in a programming language

•    Cybersecurity — onsite Capture-the-Flag style cybersecurity challenges

•    VEX Robotics — compete in the current VEX Robotics Competition game

Leadership

•    Chapter Team — team of members demonstrates knowledge of TSA and parliamentary procedure

•    Parliamentary Procedure — conduct a mock business meeting following Robert's Rules

•    Debating Technological Issues — prepare and deliver a debate-style presentation on a randomly assigned tech issue

•    Extemporaneous Speech — select a tech topic from cards and give a 3-5 minute speech with minimal prep

•    Career Prep — research a tech career, prepare a resume and cover letter, complete a mock interview

Manufacturing & Transportation Technology

•    Dragster Design — design, build, and race a CO₂-powered dragster

•    Flight Endurance — design and fly a rubber-band-powered aircraft for long indoor flights

•    Manufacturing Prototype — design and build a functional prototype that solves a problem

•    Transportation Modeling — design and build a scale model of a transportation solution

STEM (General)

•    Engineering Design — team-based iterative design challenge addressing the annual theme

•    Technology Problem Solving — team receives materials and a problem onsite, solves it in a set time

•    TEAMS — Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Math, and Science: multiple choice, essay, and design-build

•    Technology Bowl — written test + team quiz-bowl style competition on TSA and tech knowledge

STEM & the Arts

•    Animatronics — build an animatronic device with sound, lights, and a display

•    Board Game Design — develop, build, and package an original board game

•    Children's Stories — write and illustrate an original children's book on the annual theme

•    Fashion Design & Technology — design a wearable garment, patterns, and documentation portfolio

Technology & Research

•    Biotechnology Design — research a contemporary biotech issue and build an original display

•    Scientific Visualization — produce a 2D or 3D visualization that communicates a scientific concept

•    Technology Bowl (Written) — individual written test on technology and TSA knowledge

Georgia TSA — GA-only Events

These events are exclusive to Georgia TSA conferences and are not held at nationals.

•    EV Rally — race electric vehicles built in the FBHS lab at Lanier Speedway during SLC

•    Cardboard Boat Race (The Armada) — build a cardboard boat, race it across a pool at Fall Leadership Conference

•    Sandcastle Construction Challenge — engineering meets sandbox

•    Statesman Award — test on TSA history, parliamentary procedure, and organizational knowledge (required for state office)

•    The Island Video Contest — GA-only video challenge at FLC

•    VEX State Qualifier and VEX IQ Tournament — held during Fall Leadership Conference

Ready to pick an event?

•    Talk to the advisor about what fits your interests and time

•    Read the full event rules in the current TSA Competitive Events Guide

•    Confirm your event when you register for SLC

Official Event Guides

•    National TSA High School Events Guide — tsaweb.org/competitions

•    Georgia TSA SLC Event Modifications — gatsa.org/conferences/slc

•    SLC Quick-Reference Event Guide — [coming soon]

•    Individual Events Guide — [coming soon]