TSA
The organization that writes the event rules, hosts the National TSA Conference, and connects chapters from around the country.
Welcome to JHS TSA
TSA is a competitive community of students with an interest in technology. We build, design, and probelem solve. together You do not need to arrive with any experience, a plan, or even a set interest.
300,000+student members
2,700+schools
48U.S. states
TSA, the Technology Student Association, is a national (with some international extensions) nonprofit organization for middle- and high-school students intrested in STEM. It has been serving students through leadership, service, and competition since 1978 (58 years!) JHS TSA is one chapter in that much bigger network. TSA’s current facts sheet is a nice snapshot of its scale.
The three layers of TSA
WTSA
Washington TSA runs the statewide program: Washington only events, the State Conference, and the state delegation that travels to nationals.
JHS TSA
Our chapter is the team at Juanita High School. We help members choose events, form teams, practice, run chapter eliminators, and get ready for competition.
What is an event?
An event is a competition with a specific challenge and a published rulebook. Some events ask you to build something. Others ask you to code, make a video, research a problem, design a game, give a presentation, or take a test. You work alone or with teammates as the event allows.
Your work is scored against an objective rubric, a checklist of what judges are looking for. The more completely and skillfully you meet that rubric, the higher you place. It is not a popularity contest, and it is not about who has been in TSA longest.
A few real examples: Artificial Intelligence starts with a test on AI concepts, then semifinalists use a GenAI tool to solve an onsite problem. In Board Game Design, a team creates a playable game, including its pieces, instructions, packaging, and a demonstration. Drone Challenge has teams design, build, document, and fly an open-source drone for the annual challenge.
Browse the event guide when you are ready to see the actual options. Every event page links to the official rules.
How competition works
Chapter eliminator
Some events have a limited number of State spots per chapter. If more JHS members want a spot than we can send, we run an eliminator.
That might be in the from of a questionaire, a mock run of the event, a test, or a version of the regional qualification. The format depends on the event.
Regional qualification
Your qualifying work is compared with competitors around Washington. This is an intial statewide sweep to see that you are competent enough to compete at a state level.
For all events, qualification happens online. So you might submit a video showing your catapult launch instead of bringing the catapult to a live competition.
State
At State, you do the full event and compete against Washington’s strongest qualifiers. Winning is hard, which is exactly what makes it exciting.
State is also a conference: meet students from other chapters, attend sessions, and connect with college programs such as the University of Washington Information School and Seattle University.
Nationals
Place highly at State and you may represent Washington at Nationals, where chapters from across the country bring their best work. It is a huge competition, college-and-career experience, and a chance to meet an entirely new TSA community.
In 2027, Nationals is in Orlando, Florida, June 23–27. That means you will to Disney World or Universal Studios!
We make elimationation solely on merit. Who is most likely to succeed at State?
That is the only factor. We do not choose based on how long you have been in TSA, whether you have competed before, or who you know. A new member can absolutely earn a spot by preparing well and showing the skills the event needs.
TSA is not an exclusive commitement
Being in TSA does not mean you have to make TSA your only activity. Many members balance it with band, sports, jobs, other clubs, family, and homework. Pick events and roles that fit your season and your bandwidth.
You also do not need to attend every meeting. Meetings are there to help you get information, find teammates, and prepare when you are ready. Stay in touch with your team and event deadlines, then take part in the ways that work for you.