Middle School Competitions
Competition Descriptions
Leadership
Action Skills
This competition requires a five- to seven-minute demonstration of an occupational skill in an area in which a student is training. Competitors use examples, experiments, displays, or practical operations to clearly explain their skills using competitor-prepared visual aids. A letter from an appropriate school official on school letterhead stating that the competitor is classified under the provisions of Public Law 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997, is required for participation.
Individual
American Spirit
This is a professional portfolio competition documenting SkillsUSA chapters’ community service; patriotism and citizenship; and promotion of career and technical education projects that demonstrate a belief in the American way of life and the purposes of SkillsUSA.
Teams of 3
Chapter Display
SkillsUSA student members build a three-dimensional display that articulates the annual SkillsUSA competition theme. The members of the chapter build the display and three students present information about the display during a presentation and interview with judges.
Teams of 3
Community Action Project
A team of two students must develop, execute, document and present a completed community service project that provides a benefit to the community or the school and demonstrates excellence and professionalism. The project may be a larger school/community project; however, two students must be part of the core organization team and document the project and results based on the guidelines in the technical standards. A letter from an appropriate school official on school letterhead stating that the competitor is classified under the provisions of Public Law 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997, is required for participation.
Teams of 2
Community Service
The Community Service competition evaluates local chapter activities that benefit their communities while members become productive community members. SkillsUSA chapters present their best community service project for the current school year. Competitors are evaluated on a professional portfolio that details their chapter’s community service project and on a presentation to a panel of judges. The competencies that are evaluated are based on the team’s professionalism in the visual representation of the project, designing and implementing an engaging presentation, and effective delivery of that presentation.
Teams of 3
Extemporaneous Speaking
The competition requires competitors to give a three- to five-minute speech on an assigned topic with five minutes of advance preparation. Competitors enter the preparation area one at a time, where they are given a speech topic. They are judged on voice, mechanics, platform deportment, organization, and effectiveness.
Individual
Job Interview
Competitors are evaluated on their understanding of employment procedures faced in applying for positions in the occupational areas in which they are training. The competition is divided into phases, including the following: completion of employment application; introduction scenario with a receptionist; and an in-depth interview(s).
Individual
Job Skill Demonstration A
Competitors demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in the occupational area for which they are training. The competition requires a demonstration performing an occupational skill accompanied by a clear explanation of the topic using experiments, displays or practical operations.
Individual
Job Skill Demonstration Open
Competitors demonstrate and explain an entry-level technical skill used either in the occupational area for which they are training or outside the training area. The competition requires a demonstration performing an occupational skill accompanied by a clear explanation of the topic using experiments, displays or practical operations.
Individual
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
This teamwork and oral presentation competition evaluates a team’s understanding of the symbolic representation of the colors and assembled parts of the SkillsUSA emblem. Each team includes seven registered members in the roles of president, vice president, parliamentarian, reporter, treasurer, secretary and historian.
Teams of 7
Outstanding Chapter
The competition consists of documenting and presenting activities members have been involved with during the school year, including chapter meetings, leadership training, publicity, community service projects, professional development, program of work, awards, local and state competitions and other selected chapter activities. Each activity is documented in a professional portfolio and a team of three members are interviewed.
Teams of 3
Pin Design
Students present their winning state conference pin and artwork and participate in an oral presentation regarding all aspects of the creation of their design. Competitors will explain how the pin represents their state, its unique qualities and why another SkillsUSA student or adult member would want to wear the pin. The competitor will create a tabletop display that represents the process they used to create the design.
Individual
Prepared Speech
The competition requires students to deliver a five- to seven-minute prepared speech based on the annual SkillsUSA competition theme. Competitors are evaluated on their ability to present thoughts relating to the central theme clearly and effectively, and are rated on voice, mechanics and platform deportment.
Individual
Promotional Bulletin Board
The competition evaluates bulletin board displays created by SkillsUSA chapters based on the annual SkillsUSA competition theme. The bulletin boards promote SkillsUSA, career and technical education in general and related occupational information. An accompanying professional portfolio documents the development and construction of the bulletin board. An oral presentation explains the process, purpose and educational value of the bulletin board.
Teams of 3
Quiz Bowl
The Quiz Bowl competition tests a team of five to seven competitors on their ability to quickly respond to knowledge questions covering academics, current events and SkillsUSA professional development curriculum. Teams will demonstrate communication skills, teamwork, problem solving and time-management skills by determining and presenting the answer to each question clearly within the five-second time frame. Each competitor will take two written tests. One will be a written Quiz Bowl test covering general academic and current events issues. The other will be the national SkillsUSA Professional Development Test.
Teams of 5-7
T-shirt Design
Students present their winning state conference T-shirt and create a professional portfolio that documents the process used to create the design. Competitors will participate in an oral presentation regarding all aspects of the creation of their design and explain how the T-shirt represents their state, its unique qualities and why another SkillsUSA student or adult member would want to wear the shirt.
Individual
Occupationally Related
Engineering Technology - Design
Students demonstrate their ability to design an innovative engineering project and present those ideas along with a display and live model. During the presentation, students are judged on their performance as a professional team, presentation of their project to a panel of judges from the engineering field, their storyboard presentation model, and the overall effect of the presentation.
Teams of 3
Preventative Athletic Taping (State Only)
Competitors will demonstrate proficiency in the restriction of motion of an injured joint, compress soft tissues to reduce swelling, support anatomical structures involved in the injury, serve as a splint or secure a splint, secure dressing or bandages, protect the injured joint from re-injury, and protect the injured part while the injured part is in the healing process.
Individual
Skilled and Technical
2D Animation (State Only)
This competition is open to a team of two active SkillsUSA Washington members enrolled in programs with art, animation, digital arts or graphic design. This competition explores the techniques, standards and principles of the animation industry. Students will present a 2D animation presentation. This competition is open to middle school, high-school and college/postsecondary competitors.
Teams of 2
3D Visualization and Animation
The world of 3D is rapidly expanding, and career opportunities exist in a wide range of fields, including architecture, games, product and industrial design, civil engineering, and film and television animation. This competition allows students to step into a real-world 3D production environment where creative output must be accomplished within specific timeframes, resources, and design constraints. This is a two-person team event and includes a written exam. Competitors must produce high quality images and an animated short subject using computer-generated 3D images. Students are evaluated on their technical knowledge, production skills, and creative abilities, including visual development and storyboarding. Competitors can also interface with and get feedback from judges with successful careers in 3D visualization and animation.
Teams of 2
Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D Printing, embraces a wide range of materials and derivative processes to build parts suitable for end-use service. The virtually unlimited design freedom enabled by additive manufacturing allows for the creation of shapes and the integration of feature and function that previously required sub-assemblies. Employment opportunities for design engineers are growing as the industry adopts additive manufacturing methods and applies the practice to various parts of their business from prototyping to end use parts.
Teams of 2
Computer Maintenance Technology (State Only)
This contest is open to active SkillsUSA Washington members enrolled in programs with Computer Repair, Electronic Product Servicing, Electronics Technology Cyber Security, Information Security, or Systems and Networking Security Architecture as an occupational objective. The contest is defined by industry standards as determined by the Testout-PCPro Certification Examination. This competition is open to middle school, high school and college/postsecondary competitors.
Individual
Interactive Application and Video Game Development
The competition is a two-person team event that tests technical knowledge and production skills, including critical thinking, creative problem solving, teamwork, interpersonal and visual communication, artistic design, and technical programming. Teams must produce an original prototype or sample of an interactive application or video game with at least one level and ten (10) minutes of interactive content. It must be created during the school year immediately preceding the competition deadline.
Teams of 2
Mobile Robotics Technology
The competition includes activities that simulate situations encountered by robotic programmers and support professionals. Teams are given a task to solve using a mobile robotic system that is built ahead of time and brought to the competition. Teams will have two scored chances to solve the mobile robotic challenge and will be given a design and programming interview. Once a team has performed the required task or set of tasks, a design change may be introduced. Competitors are required to adhere to industry safety standards using the hardware and software they have selected.
For more information, check out the Middle School Game Manual related to this competition.
Teams of 2
Photography (State Only)
Competitors in the Middle School Photography contest are challenged with real-world scenarios that test their creativity, technical ability, and professionalism. Students are judged on their knowledge of digital camera operation, performance on a field and studio portrait assignment, and ability to troubleshoot common photo errors. They will also demonstrate editing skills in Adobe Photoshop, participate in a written knowledge test, prepare competition prints, and complete a professional job interview.
Individual
Robotics - Urban Search and Rescue
Teams are required to build a robot and arm mechanism prior to the competition. The robot must be capable of locating, grabbing and moving simulated ordnances on the challenge course. This competition assesses proficiencies such as remotely operating the robot via camera, navigation, manipulating the arm mechanism to collect simulated ordnances, traversing various types of terrain, and communication between driver and spotter. Find more information in the Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue Challenge Guide 2023.
Teams of 2
Team Engineering Challenge
This competition evaluates and recognizes outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the areas of creative and critical thinking skills and the decision-making process used to solve a problem. The competition is intended to foster creativity, innovation, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Teams of 3
Design Challenge Descriptions
Design students in Washington have a special chance to showcase their skills through exclusive challenges just for SkillsUSA Washington members. These state-only challenges are separate from the nationally recognized SkillsUSA Championships and are conducted entirely online, with no in-person requirements.
Here’s how it works:
- Participants submit their designs online to compete with other Washington artists and designers.
- Winners will be announced before the State Leadership & Skills Conference and recognized on stage during the event.
- These competitions are only for Washington State members and are not connected to the national SkillsUSA Championships.
Branding Challenge - NEW
The competition is designed to assess the competitor’s ability to design and produce a design package that reflects the annual theme, the state of Washington, and our organization. This competition is open to middle school, high-school and college/postsecondary competitors. Online submission only – no presentation.
Submissions will be accepted from October 14, 2025 – January 30, 2026. The winner will be announced on February 26, 2026.
Prize: $300 for 1st Place Champion
Individual
Pacific Northwest Pin Design Challenge
The competition is designed to assess the competitor’s ability to design and produce a Pin design concept for the Pacific Northwest. Pins will be provided to each of the Qualifying National Leadership and Skills Conference contestants from Washington, Oregon and Idaho. This competition is open to middle school, high-school and college/postsecondary competitors. Online submission only – no presentation.
Submissions will be accepted from October 14, 2025 – January 30, 2026. The winner will be announced on February 26, 2026.
Prize: $100 for 1st Place Champion
Individual
State Design Challenge
The competition is designed to assess the competitor’s ability to design and produce a T-shirt or Pin design concept for SkillsUSA Washington. Pins will be provided to contestants at the State Leadership and Skills Conference and T-Shirts and Pins will be provided to each of the Qualifying National contestants. This competition is open to middle school, high-school and college/postsecondary competitors. Online submission only – no presentation.
NEW for 2025-2026: The top five students who best meet the judging criteria in the State Design Challenge will earn free access to a digital badge in Graphic Design, awarded through the BRIC Foundation.
Submissions will be accepted from October 14, 2025 – January 30, 2026. The winner will be announced on February 26, 2026.
Individual
Prizes:
- $100 for 1st Place Champion + design is the WA State Pin for 2026
- $75 for 2nd Place Champion + design is the WA State T-shirt for 2026
- $50 for 3rd Place Champion
For the nationally recognized competitions, students must:
- Participate in in-person Pin Design (Middle School, High School, and College/Postsecondary) or T-shirt Design (Middle School, High School, and College/Postsecondary) contests.
- Follow the National Technical Standards.
- Advance through regional and state levels to qualify for nationals.
- Optionally use the same design submitted for the state-only challenge.
These state-only challenges are an extra way to celebrate and highlight the amazing talent of Washington students!
Competition Structure
- Regional Competitions: Every student must compete at the regional level to qualify for state. Students may enter as many contests as they can manage.
- State Competition: Students who qualify at regionals may compete in up to three contests, with only one of those being technical. For example, a student could do three leadership contests or two leadership and one technical. First-place winners at state earn an invitation to nationals. Design Challenges do NOT count towards the three contest limit.
- National Competition: At the national level, students may compete in only one contest.
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