Washington-only Events
Washington TSA is proud to offer a variety of unique competitive events at the WTSA State Conference. While these events are not available for national level competition, each competitive event will develop students’ skills in areas that are key to many industries in Washington State. There are 8 high school events, and 6 middle school events.
High School
Animation - High School - NEW
Using 3D, 2D, and/or stop-motion animation tools, participants develop an animated short (with sound) and portfolio that reflects the theme for the year.
2023-24 Design Challenge
Sci-Fiction - defined by the futuristic nature of its setting or satire of characters, themes, or plot. It is set in a futuristic alternative, fictional world.
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit a link to their completed video (or their preliminary video, whatever stage it is at). If your video is preliminary, you can insert your storyboard frames for scenes that are still incomplete. You may choose any video hosting site, such as an unlisted Youtube video, as long as it is online and accessible for viewing.
March - THIS IS AN EARLY ENTRY EVENT, DUE MARCH 1 BY 5:00 PM
Students upload pdf portfolio and URL to animation Link to upload URL
Career Prep - High School
Career Prep is currently a middle school national TSA event. Washington TSA will run Career Prep as a high school event also. Students have to research an entry-level career, and write a cover letter and resume as if they have just graduated from college/high school/tech school with whatever training is required for the position they are applying for. Then, semifinalists will do an interview as well. This is one of the most useful skills TSA students will use for a lifetime.
This event incorporates elements of leadership, career research, resume development and interview skills in a real-world application.
Career Prep event guide 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit cover letter and resume. Link to upload pdf
Upload cover letter and resume (in that order) as 1 pdf file.
March - Students will submit 2 copies of their cover letter and resume at event check in on Mar. 13
Concept Art - High School - NEW
Participants use digital art and design skills in the production of conceptual art and portfolio that reflects the theme for the year.
2023-24 Design Challenge
Develop concept drawings for a game or movie monster found lurking in the wilds of a far-future Washington state.
Concept Art event guide 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit 1 file containing images of the mood boards (at least one), brainstorming sketches (at least 3), and the model sheet. Submit as a single multi-page PDF.
March - THIS IS AN EARLY ENTRY EVENT, DUE MARCH 1 BY 5:00 PM
Students submit portfolio Link to upload pdf
Infographic - High School - NEW
Participants combine text, illustrations, charts, and graphics to communicate complex concepts or data quickly and effectively, helping to help convey information in a more visually appealing and accessible manner, making it easier for viewers to understand and remember key points.
2023-24 Design Challenge
Students will design an infographic for a target audience of museum-goers. This infographic is intended to be printed and hung on the museum wall. Students can design EITHER a 36x48” or 18x96” graphic (submissions will be digital only).
Infographic event guide 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit a pdf of infographic design showing (at a minimum) the layout of images, information blocks, and design features.
March - THIS IS AN EARLY ENTRY EVENT, DUE MARCH 1 BY 5:00 PM
Students submit final pdf version of infographic Link to upload pdf
Robotics Challenge - High School
Students will design, build and test a remote controlled robot to carry out a specific challenge. Teams must be a minimum of two (2) and maximum of four (4) students. High School and Middle school will compete on different challenges. Robots may be constructed using recycled, salvaged and commercial parts. There is no specific platform or vendor required. Commercial kits can be used, combined, adapted, and re-engineered for the Design Challenge. Examples include, but are not limited to: VEX, LEGO, TETRIX, Fisher/Technic, Lynxmotion, HiTech and/or Arduino.
Robotics Challenge event guide 23-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit a video of their robot operating and performing a task on the course Upload video URL link
March - Students will bring robot to event, sign up for a competition time on Wednesday during event check in, and compete on Thursday afternoon.
Silent Film - High School
Participants use video production skills to create a “silent” movie and a musical score to accompany the film. Silent films encourage students to think about music and its application to other forms of art and technology. NOTE: Silent film means NO spoken words that can be heard. People can be talking in your film, but should never be heard.
Theme: Evolution
Silent Film event guide 2023-24
Silent Film scoring rubric 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit script/storyline/filming plan for video as a pdf file
March - THIS IS AN EARLY ENTRY EVENT, DUE MARCH 1 BY 5:00 PM
Students submit URL to film and pdf portfolio Link to upload URL and pdf
STEM Mass Media - NEW
Participants utilize written and verbal communication skills designed for a mass audience to convey a news story revolving around a designated theme in both a video broadcast
(preliminary) and a digital written format (semifinals).
2023-24 Theme for video broadcast: The science behind, and benefits of, cloud seeding OR The use of bacteria to mitigate plastic waste
STEM Mass Media event guide 2023-24 - Updated 12/2/23 - Semifinals will be a press conference, rather than individual interviews
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit draft news story as a pdf, including a list of resources and references
March - THIS IS AN EARLY ENTRY EVENT, DUE MARCH 1 BY 5:00 PM
Students submit URL link to broadcast Link to upload URL
Trebuchet - High School - NEW
This is a fun, exciting event that teachers can use to capture student interest in STEM and TSA. Washington TSA will run this event at both the middle and high school level this year.
This event incorporates elements of design, research, construction and problem-solving in a real-world application.
Trebuchet event guide 2023-24 - COMPETITION UPDATE - 1/13/24
Trebuchets may be made out of PVC, wood or metal.
If judges deem them unsafe for operation, they will be DQed, and will not participate in the launch portion of the competition.
No piece(s) of the trebuchet may detach from the whole during operation.
Trebuchets must fit within the 2'8” x 2' x 1.5' size limitation, but the arm may extend outside of that when swinging.
Trebuchets may be up to 2'8" high (rather than 2’), specifically to accommodate the sandbag, which is required to hold it in place.
Trebuchets must be able to fit the 50 lb sandbag to hold them in place.
At it’s flattest, the sandbag is 18” x 12” x 4” and will be in a vinyl bag to prevent sand leaking. We are hoping to put handles on the ends of the bag.
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit drawings of trebuchet, and description of launching mechanism and how it differs from a catapult or cannon.
Upload drawings and description as 1 pdf file
March - Students submit trebuchet at event check in on Wednesday night, and sign up for a competition time on Friday afternoon
Middle School
Audio Podcasting - Middle School - NEW
Audio Podcasting is a high school national TSA event. Washington state will run it as a middle school event also.
Theme - Students will develop a podcast focused on personal development, motivation, or coaching.
MS Audio Podcasting event guide 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit the following:
Sketch/draft of podcast cover art
Completed script for podcast
Students will upload 1-2 files, saved as pdfs
March - THIS IS AN EARLY ENTRY EVENT, DUE MARCH 1 BY 5:00 PM
Students submit URL link to podcast, and portfolio as a pdf file Upload URL link and pdf file
Fashion Design - Middle School
Fashion Design is a high school national TSA event. It is a fun, exciting event that teachers can use to capture student interest in STEM and TSA.
This event incorporates elements of costuming, design, research, construction and problem-solving in a real-world application. Theme: Avant-Garde
Avant-Garde is characterized by a radical approach. It values aesthetic innovation and unorthodox and experimental approaches. It often combines fabrics of different textures and shapes to result in clothing that is affordable and artistic. The prototype garment can be one (1) piece or two (2) to four (4) separate pieces.
Fashion Design event guide 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline- students will submit sketches of garments, and photos of fabrics that will be used.
Upload sketches and photos as 1 pdf file Link to upload pdf
March - Students will submit entry, including garment(s), patterns, portfolio at Wednesday check in. Judging will take place Thursday morning, semifinal interviews Thursday afternoon, Fashion Show Thursday night.
Music Production - Middle School - NEW
Music Production is a high school national TSA event. Washington state will run it as a middle school event also.
Theme: Students will design a musical piece to be played during a car chase in a movie scene.
Music Production event guide 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - students will upload link to URL of musical piece
March - THIS IS AN EARLY ENTRY EVENT, DUE MARCH 1 BY 5:00 PM
Students submit URL link to musical piece and pdf portfolio Upload URL link and pdf portfolio
Robotics Challenge - Middle School
Students will design, build and test a remote controlled robot to carry out a specific challenge. Teams must be a minimum of two (2) and maximum of four (4) students. High School and Middle school will compete on different challenges. Robots may be constructed using recycled, salvaged and commercial parts. There is no specific platform or vendor required. Commercial kits can be used, combined, adapted, and re-engineered for the Design Challenge. Examples include, but are not limited to: VEX, LEGO, TETRIX, Fisher/Technic, Lynxmotion, HiTech and/or Arduino.
Robotics Challenge event guide 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit a video of their robot operating and performing a task on the course Upload video URL link
March - Students will bring robot to event, sign up for a competition time on Wednesday during event check in, and compete on Thursday afternoon.
Silent Film - Middle School
Participants use video production skills to create a “silent” movie and a musical score to accompany the film. Silent films encourage students to think about music and its application to other forms of art and technology. NOTE: Silent film means NO spoken words that can be heard. People can be talking in your film, but should never be heard.
Theme: Learning a new skill
Silent Film event guide 2023-24
Silent Film scoring rubric 2023-24
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit script/storyline/filming plan for video as a pdf file Link to upload pdf
March - THIS IS AN EARLY ENTRY EVENT, DUE MARCH 1 BY 5:00 PM
Students submit URL to film and pdf portfolio Link to upload URL and pdf
Trebuchet - Middle School
This is a fun, exciting event that teachers can use to capture student interest in STEM and TSA. Washington TSA will run this event at both the middle and high school level this year.
This event incorporates elements of design, research, construction and problem-solving in a real-world application.
Trebuchet event guide 2023-24 - COMPETITION UPDATE - 1/13/24
Trebuchets may be made out of PVC, wood or metal.
If judges deem them unsafe for operation, they will be DQed, and will not participate in the launch portion of the competition.
No piece(s) of the trebuchet may detach from the whole during operation.
Trebuchets must fit within the 2'8” x 2' x 1.5' size limitation, but the arm may extend outside of that when swinging.
Trebuchets may be up to 2'8" high (rather than 2’), specifically to accommodate the sandbag, which is required to hold it in place.
Trebuchets must be able to fit the 50 lb sandbag to hold them in place.
At it’s flattest, the sandbag is 18” x 12” x 4” and will be in a vinyl bag to prevent sand leaking. We are hoping to put handles on the ends of the bag.
January 11 qualifying deadline - Students will submit drawings of trebuchet, and description of launching mechanism and how it differs from a catapult or cannon.
Upload drawings and description as 1 pdf file
March - Students submit trebuchet at event check in on Wednesday night, and sign up for a competition time on Friday afternoon