Competition Descriptions

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There are so many amazing competitions available to our student members, many of which are not program or career-cluster-specific. Below are general descriptions of each competition offered at the State Leadership and Skills Conference. It is also recommended that you view the following resources to help decide which competitions are available to your students or best suit their skills. Keep in mind that there are typically over a dozen competitions available to each student to choose from, no matter the program they are enrolled in.

Additional Resources:

Notes:

Non-Program or Non-Career-Cluster-Specific competitions are those that any student can enter. They will potentially compete against students from across multiple programs or career clusters.
Some competitions require that the student competitor be classified under the provisions of Public Law 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997. Those will be noted in their description.
Students may compete in a STATE ONLY and a non-state-only competition at this year's State Leadership and Skills Conference. It must fit with their schedule, however. In the case that it will not, they will be required to compete in the non-state-only competition, unless the Advisor decides otherwise. All conflicts or potential conflicts will be communicated to the Advisor.

3D Visualization and Animation

This competition requires a team of two student members to 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.

In this event, students compete as a team of 2.

Action Skills (includes Middle School)

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.

This event is open to all three levels (middle school, high school, and college/post-secondary.

In this event, students compete individually. If a model is needed for the purposes of a competitor's demonstration, they must provide their own student models. This competition is only open to students classified under the provisions of Public Law 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997.

Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing, also know 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 the creation of shapes and the integration of feature and function that previously required sub-assemblies.

In this event, students compete as a team of 2.

Advertising Design

This competition tests technical skills and creative aptitude as though competitors worked for an ad agency. Competitors will recreate a provided advertisement on the computer. They are judged on their accuracy, proficiency with industry software and ability to meet a deadline. Competitors also complete a creative portion, which involves the application of creative thinking and a design challenge. Layout, drawing and illustration skills are used, as well as the ability to create vibrant, effective designs using the computer.

Contestants compete individually in this event.

American Spirit (includes Middle School)

This is a professional portfolio competition documenting a SkillsUSA chapter's 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.

In this event, students compete as a team of 3. This competition is open to Middle School students in addition to Secondary (High School) and Post-Secondary (College) students.

Architectural Drafting

Competitors will use their drafting skills to solve an architectural problem. The problem may include a hand sketch and/or drawings that are either computer-generated or board drafted. This is mean to test the competitors' problem-solving abilities along with their CAD skills.

Competitors compete individually in this event.

Audio-Radio Production

Students will produce (plan, write, voice, record, edit and render) up to a three-minute radio production such as a PSA, sound rich/NPR style news story or a sound and interview news story. A 60-second streaming radio infomercial and 30-second ad spot will be produced and inserted into the production. The complete production requires students to demonstrate their ability to plan a project that meets a specific prompt and run time; and to gather, edit and mix a variety of audio sources. This must be rendered in a specified audio file format.

In this event, students compete as a team of 2.

Automated Manufacturing Technology

The competition evaluates teams in the integrated manufacturing technology fields of computer aided drafting/design (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM), and computer numerical controlled machining (CNC). CAD operators construct the part geometry; the CAM operator generates the tool paths; and the CNC operator sets up and machines the part.

In this event, students compete as a team of 3.

Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair (MLR) - (High School Only)

This competition is consistent with the automotive maintenance and light repair task list outlined in guidelines published by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the ASE Education foundation. Competitors demonstrate their ability to perform jobs and/or skills selected from the contest standards.

In this event, students compete as individuals. This competition is ONLY open to Secondary students (High School).

Automotive Refinishing Technology

Competitors demonstrate the ability to perform skills based on the task list outlined by the National Institute for Automotive Excellence (ASE) and the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). The competition includes a series of workstations to assess skills in surface preparation, spray gun operation, paint mixing, matching and applying, solving paint application problems, determining finish defects with an understanding of causes and cures, masking, and utilizing safety precautions. Competitors may also complete an interview and an ASE written exam.

In this event, students compete as individuals.

Automotive Service Technology (College / Post-Secondary Only)

This competition is consistent with the automobile technician task list outlined in guidelines published by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the ASE Education Foundation. Competitors demonstrate their ability to perform jobs and/or skills selected from the contest standards.

In this event, students compete as individuals. This competition is ONLY open to Post-Secondary students (College).

Aviation Maintenance Technology

Competitors perform tasks that represent the types of maintenance they will be exposed to in the aircraft industry. The competition scope is consistent with the general, airframe, and powerplant maintenance technician certification guide published by the Federal Aviation Administration.

In this event, students compete individually.

Baking and Pastry Arts

Competitors are challenged to meet production and quality standards expected by industry. Competitors demonstrate their knowledge and skill through scaling, mixing, preparing and baking up to eight products. The products include breads, rolls, cookies, and assorted pastries. The student must demonstrate their cake decorating skills and work efficiently to produce quality products in a job-like setting.

In this event, students compete as individuals.

Barbering

This competition is defined by industry standards as identified by the barbering technical committee and the National Barbering Association. The competition is divided into four separate skill performance tasks including haircutting, hair styling, hair color, beard design and coloring. Creativity is assessed in the creative cut and beard design, while haircutting is evaluated in the recreation of men's haircuts from a photograph or other provided material.

In this event, students compete as individuals. Competitors must provide their own student models.

Basic Health Care Skills (High School only)

Competitors demonstrate their knowledge and ability to perform entry-level procedures or skills based on the following list of core standards: academic foundations, communication skills, career opportunity concepts and systems, employability and teamworking, ethical and legal issues, and safety practices. Performance will be evaluated through various stations involving skills testing and both written and verbal assessments.

In this event, students compete individually. This competition is for High School students only.

Biotechnology Knowledge Bowl (High School only) - (STATE ONLY)

Competitors work on a team of 4 students and will be tested on their collective knowledge within the biotechnology field. Teams will be judged on accuracy of answering questions in categories including molecular and cell biology, microbiology, data analysis, biomanufacturing, instrumentations use, regulatory affairs, bioethics, employability skills, safety practices, biotechnology current events, communication and teamwork.

In this event, students compete as a team of 4. This competition is for High School students only.

Building Maintenance

Competitors demonstrate competencies related to the building maintenance trade. These areas may include, but are not limited to, carpet care, office and restroom cleaning, floor care and liquid measurement.

Contestants compete individually in this event. This competition is only open to students classified under the provisions of Public Law 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997.