Judging for TSA Competitive Events

Below are 12 categories, each describing the types of judges best suited to those events and listing example events that fit the category.

For more information on what each competitive event will consist of, please review the Competitive Event Judge Overviews

1. Engineering & Technical Design

Ideal for judges with backgrounds in engineering, design, drafting, or fabrication.

Events:

  • CAD Architecture / CAD Engineering / CAD Foundations

  • Engineering Design (HS)

  • Mechanical Engineering (MS)

  • Off the Grid (MS)

  • Structural Design & Engineering (HS)

  • Structural Engineering (MS)

  • System Control Technology (HS & MS)

  • Flight / Flight Endurance

  • Dragster Design / Dragster (MS)

  • Transportation Modeling

  • Manufacturing Prototype

  • Microcontroller Design (MS)

  • Inventions & Innovations (MS)

  • Technology Problem Solving (HS) / Problem Solving (MS)

3. Media Production, Video, Audio & Digital Arts

Ideal for film, design, marketing, animation, podcasting, photography, and media specialists.

Events:

  • Digital Video Production (HS)

  • On Demand Video (HS)

  • Audio Podcasting (HS & MS)

  • Photographic Technology / Digital Photography (MS)

  • STEM Mass Media (HS)

  • Promotional Design (HS)

  • Promotional Marketing (MS)

  • Marketing Communications (if applicable)

  • Mass Media (HS)

  • Children's Stories (HS & MS – strong design/art component)

5. Web, UI/UX, & Digital Experience Design

Ideal for web developers, UI/UX designers, digital communication professionals.

Events:

  • Webmaster (HS)

  • Website Design (MS)

  • UX elements in: Promotional Design (HS) & Marketing (MS)

  • Coding events (as secondary)

7. Public Speaking, Leadership & Professional Communication

Ideal for teachers, leadership trainers, HR professionals, coaches, and communicators.

Events:

  • Prepared Presentation (HS & MS)

  • Extemporaneous Speech (HS)

  • Leadership Strategies (MS)

  • Future Technology & Engineering Teacher (HS)

  • Chapter Team (HS & MS)

  • Career Prep (MS)

  • Debating Technological Issues (HS / MS variant exists as “Challenging Technology Issues”)

9. Architecture, Construction & Built Environment

Ideal for architects, construction pros, civil engineers, draftsmen.

Events:

  • Architectural Design (HS)

  • Construction Challenge (MS)

  • Off the Grid (MS)

  • Structural Design (HS) / Structural Engineering (MS)

  • Transportation Modeling (HS)

11. Renewable Energy, Green Tech & Environmental Engineering

Ideal for sustainability professionals, solar engineers, environmental scientists.

Events:

  • Senior Solar Sprint (HS)

  • Solar Racer (MS)

  • Off the Grid (MS)

  • Energy/environment-centered projects in: Engineering Design, Biotechnology, Geospatial Technology

“If You Are A ___, You Should Judge ___” Guide

If you're an Engineer:

Judge → Engineering Design, Robotics, Flight, Mechanical Engineering, Structural.

If you're a Programmer:

Judge → Coding, Software Dev, Video Game Design, Data Science.

If you're a Designer or Artist:

Judge → Promotional Design, Animation, Children’s Stories, Digital Photography.

If you're in Media/Film:

Judge → Video Production, Podcasting, Mass Media.

If you're a Scientist or Medical Professional:

Judge → Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Medical Tech.

If you're a Communicator or Educator:

Judge → Prepared Speech, Debate, Career Prep, Chapter Team.

2. Robotics, Automation & Programming

Ideal for engineers, coders, robotics mentors, mechatronics professionals.

Events:

  • Robotics (HS & MS)

  • Drone Challenge (HS & MS)

  • System Control Technology (HS & MS)

  • Coding (HS & MS)

  • Software Development (HS)

  • Cybersecurity (MS)

  • Data Science & Analytics (HS & MS)

4. Animation, Visualization & Game Development

Ideal for animators, 3D artists, game designers, and interactive media specialists.

Events:

  • STEM Animation (MS)

  • VR Simulation (HS)

  • Video Game Design (HS & MS)

  • Architectural Design (HS – heavy 3D modeling component)

6. Biotechnology, Health Science & Forensics

Ideal for biologists, health professionals, lab technicians, forensic scientists.

Events:

  • Biotechnology Design (HS)

  • Biotechnology (MS)

  • Forensic Science (HS)

  • Forensic Technology (MS)

  • Medical Technology (MS)

8. Graphics, Fine Arts, Marketing & Creative Communication

Ideal for graphic designers, illustrators, creatives, branding professionals.

Events:

  • Promotional Design (HS)

  • Children's Stories (HS & MS)

  • Digital Photography (MS)

  • Graphic-heavy elements of: Fashion Design, Video Game Design, Architectural Design

10. Fashion, Industrial & Product Design

Ideal for fashion professionals, product designers, industrial designers.

Events:

  • Fashion Design & Technology (HS)

  • Manufacturing Prototype (HS)

  • Inventions & Innovations (MS)

  • Mass Production (MS)

12. Geography, Mapping & Environmental Systems

Ideal for GIS specialists, earth science educators, environmental planners.

Events:

  • Geospatial Technology (HS)

  • Off the Grid (MS)

  • Transportation Modeling (HS — partially)