Challenging Technology Issues
Description
Participants collaborate to prepare and deliver a debate-style presentation with participants explaining opposing views of a current technology issue.
2025-26 Topics:
Artificial Intelligence and Automation in the Workplace
Cloning to Generate Human Organs
Utilizing Lab-Grown Meat as a Substantiative Agricultural Practice
Banning Gas-Powered Cars by 2035
Human Microchip Implants for Medical Records
Wenatchee MS, Team 1, 2025 1st Place
Event Resources
Additional Resources
Reliable newspapers, journals, and YouTube channels can be used to get more information about each of the topics. Some recommendations include:
- The New York Times (Several county libraries offer free access through their websites using a library card number): The New York Times
- The Associated Press (AP): Associated Press News
- The National Institute of Health (NIH): National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- TED, TED Ed, or TEDx Talks: TED YouTube Channel & Official TED Website
- Reuters: Reuters
- BBC News: BBC News
- University publications (websites, journals, etc. that are researched and published by a college or university)
Event Deadlines
January 22, 2026
Team selects 1 of the topics listed above, and creates a video argument, where 1 team member presents the pro side of the topic, and the other presents the con side of the same topic. Video should be 2-4 minutes long.
Upload video to platform of your choice, and submit URL link.
April 2026
Team signs up for a presentation time during Wednesday night check in.
At their time, the team is given 1 of the topics, and has 15 minutes prep time before presenting the pro and con sides of the topic to the judges.
Depending on numbers, there may not be a semifinal round at State.
Washington TSA Rules
To compete, students must:
Belong to a currently affiliated TSA chapter
Be registered (by their TSA advisor) for competition by December 19, 2025 ($35)
Compete in the January 22, 2026 virtual competition (see individual event pages for details)
Be selected as a top competitor in their event(s) and invited to participate at State
Number of competitors is dependent on specific event
Qualifying competitor lists will be published by February 8, 2026
State Conference registration week February 23-27, 2026 (see state conference page for details)
At the state level, 3 teams per chapter may compete.
Additional Information
Event Coordinator:
Event Manager: Jennifer Smith, jsmith@washingtontsa.org
