TSA Chapter Member Guide

Technology Student Association

CHAPTER MEMBER GUIDE

This guide was developed for the chapter member new to TSA and the member who has been involved in TSA for one or multiple years. The material covered provides a range of TSA-related information, including but not limited to promotion and recruitment; chapter management; competition; leadership and community service; and recognition. For questions about the guide, contact National TSA at general@tsaweb.org.

TSA Basics

TSA Recruitment, Retention, and Promotion Calendar

Advisors, chapter officers, and student members can take an active role in recruiting and retaining prospective TSA chapter members year-round via the following ideas:

SPRING

• Begin recruiting efforts in the spring for the next school year. Hold an interest meeting to showcase your TSA chapter accomplishments through photos or videos of state and national conferences, competitive events, community service, and leadership. Ask members to describe their experiences.

• Post signup sheets at the meeting and around school for prospective student members.

• Elect chapter officers for the coming school year.

SUMMER

• Host an officer team meeting to discuss duties, membership drives, and fundraising activities.

• Create a “TSA Wall of Fame” to debut when school starts. Showcase photos of award-winning activities, including those at state and national competitions.

• Ask members to bring prospective members to a fun summer social such as a barbeque, movie night, ice cream party, etc.

• Inquire with the school about a display case that is adopted by classes or clubs to display trophies and projects.

FALL

• Begin the school year with an exciting chapter meeting featuring an icebreaker, team building activity, overview of TSA chapter requirements/annual activities, and information about TSA events, competitions, travel, elections, and conferences. Recognize members who participated in past conferences; have them share a video or photos of their experiences. Serve food at your first meeting.

• Be available to talk to prospective TSA members in the hall, at lunch, and during class. Encourage other members to do the same.

• Create a tri-fold for distribution during Back-to-School night, Freshman preview night, club fairs, etc.

• Launch a membership drive.

• Host a social gathering during which families can learn about your TSA chapter.

• Use school-approved communication methods to stay in touch with chapter members; design and/or update your chapter website; and utilize social media.

• Decorate a hallway and/or classroom bulletin board.

• Organize a service project that is open to the community, not just to chapter members.

• Observe National TSA Week in October; each day features a new way to celebrate and get the word out about TSA!

YEAR-ROUND

• Schedule morning and afternoon announcements about TSA to help remind members or prospective members about meetings.

• Recognize the accomplishments of members and the chapter in everything from a poster, bulletin board, or display case in a classroom or lab—to announcements at school assemblies and in the school newspaper, yearbook, e-newsletter, mobile app, social media, and website.

• Assign the chapter secretary or a few members to give an advisor-approved presentation – about the benefits of TSA – to the PTA or PTSO at your school, and send periodic, advisor-approved updates about your chapter accomplishments to the school administration.

• Encourage interaction between members and school departments, such as a student member STEM demonstration in a math or science class. Wear TSA apparel!

• Invite school administrators to a TSA chapter meeting.

Awards and Scholarships

The Technology Student Association awards and scholarships are designed to recognize members and others for their achievements in the organization.

Affiliated student members may access criteria, forms, and instructions in the Student Member Site under the Total TSA tab.

DR. BOB HANSON DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD

(fellow TSA members, teachers (advisors), or administrators of technology education/STEM programs may nominate a member; a member may also self-nominate)

This award is named after Dr. Bob Hanson of Tennessee. It is given to a TSA student member based on valued service in TSA and within the member’s community. Both past and current contributions are considered. The recipient is recognized at the national TSA conference, and will receive a one-time $500 honorarium to be used at the discretion of the honoree.

WILLIAM P. ELROD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

(student members apply directly)

The William P. Elrod Memorial Scholarship is made available through funds dedicated by the TSA, Inc. Board of Directors to the memory of William P. Elrod, a founding father of TSA from Madison, Kansas. Mr. Elrod, who died in 1990, was known for his longstanding leadership and involvement with TSA. The amount awarded to a TSA student member through this scholarship is $2,500. The deadline for the application is May 1st each year. TSA student members interested in applying for the scholarship may access scholarship criteria, instructions, and the application form via the TSA Student Member Site

NATIONAL TECHNICAL HONOR SOCIETY (NTHS)

SCHOLARSHIP (student members apply directly)

NTHS awards a scholarship in the amount of $1000 to three eligible TSA members annually. Students are eligible to apply for the NTHS scholarship if they are current members of TSA and NTHS. The NTHS scholarship application is accessible via the password-protected Student Member Site in the TSA Membership System.

For more information about the NTHS program and scholarship, visit the TSA website and the NTHS website

CHAPTER ADVISOR OF THE YEAR

(student members may nominate an advisor)

The Chapter Advisor of the Year Award is presented to TSA chapter advisors who have provided exemplary service and support to TSA. Both past and current contributions are considered.

Access specific state delegation information to learn about state-level awards and scholarships. See State Conferences/ Delegations, page 66, for links to state delegations.

TSA Achievement Program, Pathways to Excellence

The TSA Achievement Program, Pathways to Excellence encourages TSA student members to engage in the areas/categories of service leadership, STEM immersion, and personal/professional development. Students participate in activities in these areas and have the opportunity to earn sequentially a bronze, silver, and gold award at the local, state, and national level, respectively.

Completion of one activity in each area/category – for a total of three completed activities per level – is required for bronze, silver, and gold award eligibility.

Members submit documentation of their activities for each level via the TSA Student Member Site.

Chapter advisors are responsible for verifying the successful completion of a member’s activities for each level.

Bronze awards are typically presented at the chapter or district level during special award assemblies, regional conferences, TSA banquets, etc. Recognition of silver award recipients is managed at the state level, usually at state conferences. Gold award recipients are recognized at the national TSA conference.

Affiliated TSA chapter advisors or student members who seek more detailed information about the TSA Achievement Program, Pathways to Excellence, may visit the TSA Chapter Advisor Site or the TSA Student Member Site in the TSA Membership System.

TSA National Service Project –American Cancer Society (ACS)

Through involvement in TSA’s national service project, chapters can be integral in helping to support the mission of the American Cancer Society (ACS):

To improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer .

A fundraising option for TSA chapters is the ACS Relay For Life event, which provides a chapter with the opportunity to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to save lives.

Through this effort, TSA chapters can work towards the ACS Spirit of Service Award levels:

• Silver Award: $500–$999 raised during the year

• Gold Award: $1,000–$1,999 raised during the year

• Purple Award: $2,000+ above raised during the year

Further information about TSA and ACS can be found on the TSA website and the ACS website (a third party site not owned or managed by TSA).

Leadership

21st Century Skills for TSA is a leadership resource designed to help members develop the skills needed to thrive as an individual and leader. Once a chapter is affiliated, members will have access to leadership resources presented in the TSA Membership System.

TRAINING TOPICS

Perseverance/ Grit

21st CENTURY SKILLS

Flexibility/ Adaptability

TSA Branding Guide

FORMAL LOGO

The TSA logo is a rectangular shape with three parts and three colors.

• The top portion of the logo is a blank, red, and rectangular shape and the same size as the bottom area.

• The middle section and largest part of the logo contains the letters TSA in large, bold print. The letters are white on a blue background.

• The bottom portion features the name of the association—Technology Student Association—in white letters on a red background.

Please note, the TSA logo may be used with or without the registered trademark symbol: ®.

STATE AND CHAPTER LOGOS

The top portion is intentionally left blank for each state or chapter name to appear in the red portion of the TSA logo.

Note: Only state or chapter names should appear in the top red bar. Individual names or other names should not appear on the TSA logo.

Placeholder for state name

VIRGINIA

JOHN DOE HIGH SCHOOL

TSA Branding Guide

ONE-COLOR LOGO

Due to production and budgetary costs, sometimes the use of only one color ink is available. In these instances, the only acceptable colors are black, white, blue, and red. The TSA letters may appear as a transparency.

When choosing metallic colors, gold and silver are acceptable. Likewise, the logo also may be etched in wood or other surfaces.

INFORMAL LOGO AND EMBLEM

When full-color printing is available, the entire formal logo must be used. Some exceptions may apply with permission of national TSA.

If the TSA logo is being printed in a very limited space in which the entire association name is too hard to imprint, the association name may be omitted.

In rare cases of promotional materials in which embroidery is employed or the limited use of space makes placing the entire logo too complex or illegible, just the TSA emblem (as shown on the right) may be used.

PMS 286 Blue

PMS 1795 Red Black White

TSA Branding Guide

INCORRECT LOGO USES

DO NOT rotate the logo

DO NOT stretch or distort the logo

DO NOT rearrange elements

DO NOT reverse or alter colors

DO NOT outline the logo

DO NOT remove elements

DO NOT change the font

DO NOT add other elements besides state or chapter name in the top bar

DO NOT use gradients

DO NOT change the opacity, use tints, or watermark

DO NOT add a drop shadow or make the logo 3D

DO NOT combine the logo with other graphics

– JANE DOE –

TSA Branding Guide

PRIMARY COLOR PALETTE

The TSA logo is composed of three colors: blue, red, and white. These colors are the main corporate colors to be used with any secondary colors as they play a critical role in defining TSA’s visual identity.

Shown here are the color specifications for the TSA spot (Pantone®), CMYK, RGB, and Hex color builds. Following are general application uses for the various color modes:

• Pantone®: promotional and spot-color printing

• CMYK: digital and process printing

• RGB and Hex colors: web, video, screen, and Microsoft Office® software applications

Pantone® 286

C100, M66, Y0, K2 R0, G93, B170 HEX #005DAA

Pantone® 1795

C0, M94, Y100, K0 R238, G38, B36 HEX #EE2624

White

C0, M0, Y0, K0 R255, G255, B255 HEX #FFFFFF

TSA Branding Guide

SECONDARY COLOR PALETTE

There may be times when the primary color palette is not enough and additional colors to either provide contrast or highlight other graphic elements are needed.

Listed are some additional suggested color options that work well with the primary color palette. (These secondary colors are not to be used within the TSA logo.)

C48, M0, Y87, K7 R134, G187, B40 HEX #86BB50

C0, M53, Y100, K4 R236, G136, B29

HEX #EC881D

C25, M100, Y100, K22 R156, G28, B31 HEX #9C1D20

C84, M67, Y45, K32 R50, G70, B89 HEX #324659

C70 M38, Y0, K0

R78, G138, B201 HEX #4E8AC9

C74, M76, Y7, K10

R87, G78, B143 HEX #574E8F

C100, M40, Y0, K13

R0, G111, B166 HEX #006FA6

C0, M0, Y0, K85

R77, G77, B79

HEX #4D4D4F

C15, M82, Y0, K0

R208, G83, B158

HEX #D0539E

C0, M24, Y94, K0 R255, G196, B37 HEX #FFC425

C38, M16, Y30, K0 R161, G186, B178 HEX #A2BBB2

C30, M0, Y0, K14

R213, G220, B224

HEX #D5DCE0

TSA Branding Guide

IMAGERY

Photography plays a pivotal role in telling the TSA story and reinforcing the brand. Any photography needs to be professional in its approach and engaging in its content. Look for photos that create emotion and have a distinct personality. Avoid clichés, obvious poses, and clip art.

In General:

1. All photos should be simple, light, and clean.

2. When using multiple photos, make sure they have a similar visual voice as if it was taken by the same photographer.

3. Use the optimal image detail, so that it looks almost zoomed into the picture.

4. When depicting people, use imagery that reflects an interactive, creative, engaging, and enjoyable moment.

Too dark

Too zoomed out Provides little detail

Cluttered Students disengaged

TSA Branding Guide

TYPOGRAPHY

The TSA typography system consists of two main type families: Source Sans Pro and Proxima Nova.

To maintain consistency in our graphic identity, it is recommended that copy be set in typefaces from these two families.

While the Source Sans typeface works well as body copy in almost all applications, the Proxima Nova typeface is recommended for accents such as heads, subheads, and figures in charts.

Source Sans is a free font from Google that you can download here: fonts.google.com/specimen/Source+Sans+Pro

Proxima Nova is a free Typekit font available with a working license of Adobe Creative Cloud: typekit.com/fonts/proxima-nova

In cases such as Microsoft Applications, where Source Sans Pro or Proxima Nova is unavailable, Franklin Gothic my be used as a substitute. You may also contact the TSA office to request usage of the fonts.

Source Sans

Extra Light

Extra Light Italic

Light

Light Italic

Regular

Italic

Semibold

Semibold Italic

Bold

Bold Italic

Black

Black Italic

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!Ӥ$%&/()=?;,.:-_

Proxima Nova

Thin

Thin Italic

Light

Light Italic

Regular

Italic

Semibold

Semibold Italic

Bold

Bold Italic

Black

Black Italic

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!Ӥ$%&/()=?;,.:-_

Franklin Gothic

Book

Book Italic

Medium

Medium Italic

Demi

Demi Italic

Heavy

Heavy Italic

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!Ӥ$%&/()=?;,.:-_

TSA Logos

Click to dowload a high-rez SVG.

Click to dowload a high-rez PDF.

Click to dowload a low-rez JPG.

Click to dowload a low-rez PNG.

Best Practices for Social Media

When creating social media posts that reference TSA, these tips may be helpful:

• Develop posts that highlight chapter activities.

• Repost from the National TSA feed about National TSA-sponsored events, such as TSA Advisor Appreciation Week and National TSA Week.

• Use countdown posts to remind members of important TSA dates, such as meeting and conference dates.

• Use #NationalTSA on posts.

General social media tips that can be applied to TSA-referenced posts include:

• Provide short and straightforward wording/captions on graphics.

• Diversify a feed by creating a variety of posts, such as videos, Instagram Stories, and multi-graphics.

• Create a social media calendar to plan posts for the year.

• For posts with photographs, ensure appropriate lighting.

TSA Brochure

TSA Highlights

Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) is a TSA STEM competition that provides students in middle school and high school with the opportunity to discover engineering through real-world challenges.

TSA’s Computer Science and Information Technology (CS/IT) competitions – for both the middle school and high school level – are designed to be integrated into an existing CS/IT curriculum and, like all of TSA’s competitions, include leadership and 21st century skills components.

The TSA Achievement Program, Pathways to Excellence encourages TSA members to engage in service leadership, STEM immersion, and personal/ professional development activities. Members gain leadership skills and earn recognition for their efforts as they complete activities in these areas.

Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) – funded by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) – and Senior Solar Sprint (SSS) are national competitions that focus on STEM-based concepts and empower teachers, mentors, and community members to engage students in designing, building, and racing model solar cars. JSS targets fifth through eighth grade students, and SSS targets ninth through twelfth grade students.

Unite – also funded by AEOP – is a summer program held at colleges and universities across the country that encourages underserved and/or underrepresented high school students to pursue STEM in higher education and careers.

The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) serves Career and Technical Education (CTE) students through recognition and scholarship opportunities. TSA and NTHS formed a partnership in June 2023 to provide benefits to TSA members.

ABOUT TSA

Here’s what some chapter advisors say about their TSA experiences

“TSA is an opportunity for students to participate in a chapter built around their interest in STEM and to compete in events that incorporate STEM principles and ideas. TSA provides a voice in a national organization that is helping shape the future of technology education.”

“Of all the things I’ve done over the years to promote technology education, becoming a TSA advisor by far has had the most impact on my students and my professional development. highly recommend being an active part of a student organization that’s dedicated to furthering the principles of leadership, teamwork, and responsibility.”

“By incorporating the components of TSA competitions into my lesson plans or using the events as culminating activities, I’m able to capture the imagination of my students and keep them engaged.”

TSA Chapter Advisors

Teachers

that promotes and recognizes excellence in technology and engineering students through applied STEM competitions and leadership activities. TSA has chapters in more than 2,500 schools throughout 48 states. Chapter advisors work with student members to help them develop vital STEM skills.

There are many benefits for chapter advisors:

• Access to the TSA competitive events guide (middle school or high school level), which provides curriculum integration of TSA competitions designed to enhance career and technical education

Curriculum Integration

Education

Classroom enrichment through hands-on experiences

Opportunity to mentor student members

• Leadership materials and experiences for student members

STEM-focused career and college preparation resources

Collaboration with other educators, administrators, parents, and community leaders

TSA Competitions

Imagine an activity so captivating that your students spend hours working on it for weeks at a time. That is what can happen when TSA members engage in TSA competitions. Only TSA members have the opportunity to compete at exciting state conferences and then at the annual national TSA conference. Expert judging by technology and engineering educators and industry representatives inspires the best from participants. Members are rewarded not only with medals or trophies, but also with memories of the camaraderie and the challenge of participating in a national TSA conference.

TSA provides rules and guidelines for more than 75 middle school and high school competitions. Students are challenged to use and improve their STEM skills in team and individual events in career areas such as: Architecture and Construction Technology

TSA Power Point Presentation

TSA Promotional Videos

Click to view the TSA Promotional Video.

Click to view the TSA Testimonial Video.

Facts 2024-2025

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national, non-profit career and technical student organization (CTSO) of middle school and high school students engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Since TSA was chartered in 1978, over 5,000,000 student members have participated through competitions, intracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, community service, and more. TSA is a non-partisan, non-sectarian 501(c)(3) that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, or disability.

MEMBERSHIP: BY THE NUMBERS

300,000+

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MEMBERS

MISSION STATEMENT

The Technology Student Association (TSA) enhances personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), whereby members apply and integrate these concepts through intracurricular activities, competitions, and related programs.

LIKELY TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE-BOUND

100% 90% 40%

MINORITY REPRESENTATION

2,300+ 3,500+

TEACHERS (CHAPTER ADVISORS)

SCHOOLS IN 48 STATES

ENROLLED IN A CTE PROGRAM

TSA COMPETITIONS

TSA provides rules and guidelines for more than 75 middle school and high school competitions. For use in the classroom, all competitions are aligned with STEM standards, 21st century leadership skills, and the U.S. Department of Education’s National Career Clusters Framework®.

Competition categories include Architecture and Construction Technology, Communications Technology, Computer Science and Information Technology, Leadership, Manufacturing and Transportation Technology, STEM (General), STEM and the Arts, and Technology and Research.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

TSA Computer Science and Information Technology (CT/IT) competitions are designed to be integrated into an existing CS/IT curriculum at the middle and high school level. Examples include coding, data science and analytics, software development, video game design, virtual reality visualization, and website design. These competitions provide a more comprehensive experience than stand-alone competitions and include leadership activities and 21st century skills components.

Facts 2024-2025

Solar Sprint

Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) – funded by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) – and Senior Solar Sprint (SSS) are national STEM-based competitions that challenge middle and high school students to design, build, and race model solar cars.

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS): The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) serves Career and Technical Education (CTE) students through recognition and scholarship opportunities. TSA and NTHS formed a partnership in June 2023 to provide benefits to TSA members.

Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) provides a set of engineering-focused competitions for middle and high school students. Through teamwork and the use of practical applications of math and science, participants solve questions based on real-world engineering challenges.

PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

Leadership Program: Acquiring 21st century leadership skills is critical to the success of young people. TSA integrates such aptitudes in its competitions and in activities that focus on leadership development.

TSA Achievement Program, Pathways to Excellence: TSA’s achievement program encourages TSA members to engage in service leadership, STEM immersion, and personal/ professional development activities. Members gain leadership skills and earn recognition for their efforts as they complete activities in these areas.

National Service Project: For over a decade TSA has partnered with the American Cancer Society (ACS). TSA chapters nationwide raise money to help fund ACS research, education, advocacy, and patient services.

Forward to Fifty (F2F) is a national membership recruitment campaign that capitalizes on TSA’s 50th anniversary in June 2028, and its related membership goal of 500,000 members and/ or 3000 chapters. The F2F campaign, launched in September 2024, has two major components: affiliated chapters recruiting new chapters, and affiliated chapters recruiting new members. Qualifying chapters have an opportunity to receive $1000.

FUTURE FUND

Unite: Funded by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), Unite is a four-to-six-week summer program – held at colleges and universities nationwide – that encourages underserved and underrepresented high school students to pursue higher education and a STEM career path.

The TSA Future Fund supports the long-term interests and growth of TSA. Donations to the fund will help further TSA’s mission to enhance personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in STEM for its student members. Future Fund donations may be for designated purposes, such as new initiatives, scholarships, assistance to worthy chapters or state delegations, and other programs.

Chapter Management

Affiliation and Membership

More than 300,000 middle and high school students across the country are members of TSA. A teacher or other faculty member at a school affiliates a chapter with TSA and students join the chapter. Affiliation dues are paid yearly. Membership status begins when the advisor completes chapter affiliation and ends at the conclusion of the annual national TSA conference.

Membership is open to students enrolled in or who have completed technology and engineering courses. Once a member of TSA, students apply and integrate STEM concepts through participation in a program of co-curricular competitive events, leadership endeavors, a national service project, community activities, and conferences at the regional, state, and national level. This broad program makes membership in TSA a positive experience for all students.

This document is designed to help officers at the chapter and state level plan and format a successful Program of Work. A Program of Work is important because it allows a chapter or state to plan a year of activities and easily identify deadlines. At the left is a sample. Below are some tips for creating a Program of Work:

1. When creating a Program of Work, it is very important to list deadlines for all tasks. This will hold officers and members accountable for their tasks, and ensure the tasks will be completed.

2. It is important that either your chapter advisor or state advisor works with you to create this document, because you will need their support/approval when making decisions and setting goals.

3. A Programs of Work should be well-rounded. It should involve more than one category. A good program includes fundraising, leadership activities, community service, membership recruitment, and chapter membership participation.

4. Equally distributing all tasks among the officers and chapter members allows everyone to be involved and ensure one officer is not doing all of the work for the team.

5. If a task involves doing something at school, be sure to first talk with the advisor and the school administration. Once the school gives permission for the activity, then the team can begin working out details.

6. Creating the program of work should be a group effort. This should not just be one officer’s ideas, but the entire team coming together to create a shared vision for the year.

members to understand how to

For members to ask questions as they have them

Electing Chapter Officers

Chapter officers play an important role in chapter management. They serve as leaders and role models for other chapter members, run chapter meetings, and represent the chapter during school or community events.

The election of chapter officers can easily take place using a written ballot vote. Provide chapter members with advance notice of the election for their planning purposes. Virtual elections should be held during a limited-time voting window, such as 10:00am to 4:00pm on election day, so that all chapter members have the opportunity to cast their vote.

If there are multiple candidates for any given office, there may a need to hold a run-off election. For example, if there are four candidates for the office of president, the candidate with the fewest votes may need to be dropped, and then a run-off election can be held for the three remaining candidates. This process can be continued until there is a candidate with a clear majority of votes.

Suggested Chapter Officer Responsibilities

PRESIDENT

1. Preside at and conduct meetings according to parliamentary procedure.

2. Appoint committees and serve as ex-officio member of committees.

3. Keep the meetings moving at an interesting pace.

4. Call upon other officers to take the chair when necessary or desirable.

5. Keep chapter activities progressing in a satisfactory manner.

6. Represent the chapter in outside activities.

VICE PRESIDENT

1. Assist the president.

2. Serve as president in the absence of the president.

3. Succeed the president in case of vacancy.

4. Serve as chairperson of the membership and program committee.

5. Meet with and be responsible for all committees.

SECRETARY

1. Prepare and read the minutes of each meeting.

2. Count and record member votes.

3. Read correspondence and communications at meetings.

4. Keep chapter permanent records.

5. Post notices to members pertaining to chapter activities and send invitations to guests.

6. Be responsible for chapter correspondence.

7. Call the meetings to order in the absence of a presiding officer.

TREASURER

1. Report all financial standings at each meeting.

2. Keep an accurate record of receipts and payments.

3. Obtain and present ideas and suggestions for increasing the treasury and financing activities.

REPORTER

1. Prepare articles for publication.

2. Contact members to obtain news regarding the chapter.

3. Contact personnel in charge of other publications and provide copy conforming to their requests.

4. Act as the historian of the chapter by keeping chapter publications archive.

5. Assist with planning and arranging chapter exhibits.

6. Act as editor of chapter publications.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

1. Serve as parliamentarian for the chapter (will need a current copy of Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised).

2. Arrange meeting rooms and care for chapter paraphernalia.

3. Be responsible for the comfort of those present at all meetings.

4. Assist officer candidates prior to and during elections.

5. Arrange entertainment, refreshments, and other details related to meeting programs.

Chapter Meeting Agenda

Smith High School TSA

4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., (fill in date of meeting)

Engineering Lab Room 1000

CALL TO ORDER

WELCOME BY PRESIDENT

I. Roll Call

II. Approval of the Minutes

A. (include date of last summer meeting) Summer Meeting

III. Reports of Officers and Committees

A. Treasurer’s Report

B. Fundraising Committee Report

IV. Unfinished Business and General Orders

A. Fall Fundraiser

V. New Business

A. Fall Leadership Conference

B. TSA Overview (Basic TSA knowledge)

C. Leadership activity

VI. Announcements

A. Upcoming Events

B. Next Meeting

VII. Adjournment

SAMPLE

10

Ways to Fundraise

Many TSA chapters across the country hold fundraising events at different times of the year to help pay for membership dues, conference travel, and other TSA chapter-related expenses. Not only are fundraisers a great way to collect money, but they also help your chapter members manage and promote projects, and get to know each other, classmates, the community, and local businesses. Be sure to secure the approval of your school’s administration before trying these or any other fundraising ideas.

1. Loose Change Challenge—Provide your family and friends with a plastic cup or jar to keep handy at their homes, and ask them to throw in coins (and maybe even dollars!) at the end of each day. Collect the cups at the end of the fundraiser and count the change.

2. Tech Boot Camp—Invite school families who are not familiar or comfortable with technology, to the school cafeteria or tech lab to learn technology tools, applications, and programs. Consider charging a flat or hourly rate for the classes.

3. Tech Repair Fair—Many people may not be able to afford basic repairs on their tech gadgets. Your tech savvy chapter members could fill this need. Customers could be charged an affordable flat fee, with profits going to your chapter.

4. Restaurant Night—Many local restaurants sponsor fundraisers on certain nights to increase business. A portion of the proceeds from sales during scheduled hours can benefit your chapter. Encourage school staff, students, family, friends, and community members to attend.

5. Hats On! Whether school wide, or only for your chapter, perhaps charge students who want to wear a hat to school or a meeting, $1 for the day. If the event is held school-wide, consider using a theme that is already planned for school during Spirit Week (i.e., sports teams, movie themes, etc.) or a theme relating to a holiday (Santa hats around winter break).

6. Popcorn Friday—Rent an old-fashioned popcorn making stand and charge $1 per bag to end the school week on a crunchy note!

7. Movie Night—The popcorn machine also could be used during a Movie Night, whether for your chapter or school-wide. Perhaps feature a STEM-themed movie that is approved by school administrators, such as:

• A Beautiful Mind (PG-13)

• Apollo 13 (PG)

• Gravity (PG-13)

• Hidden Figures (PG)

• Interstellar (PG-13)

• Moneyball (PG-13)

• October Sky (PG)

• The Right Stuff (PG)

• Wall-E (G)

8. Recycle to Raise—Your chapter may be able to raise funds by recycling printer cartridges, mobile devices, etc.

9. Local Business Discount Cards—Research and find a company that will put together local business discount cards, which chapter members can sell to the community. The company may ask your chapter to compile a list of local businesses and contacts, then reach out to the businesses to see which ones will make discount offers that would be printed on the cards. Chapter members can sell the cards and receive a portion of the profits for the chapter.

10. Friday Night Lights—Contact your school’s athletic director to see what would be required for your chapter to staff the concession stand at your school’s home athletic games. A portion of the proceeds may go your chapter for your efforts.

Champion Fund

When paying for TSA membership dues poses a challenge, the Champion Fund may provide an opportunity to bring TSA to middle schools and high schools. Through the Champion Fund, Red CAP membership costs (up to 10 members and one advisor) for approved schools are covered for one school year. Newly-affiliated chapters can discover all that TSA membership has to offer, including a wide range of challenging STEM-related competitions, and education, leadership, and career resources.

Your school may be eligible if the school:

• has never had a TSA chapter and there is no school or community financial support available to pay membership dues.

• has not had a TSA chapter for at least three years and there is no school or community financial support available to pay membership dues.

• has had a TSA chapter within the last three years, but currently is experiencing economic hardship because of a disaster.

Submitted applications are reviewed by a committee to determine eligibility and are processed on a first come, first served basis depending upon available funding. All applications require a principal’s signature. Schools receiving financial support from the Champion Fund are kept anonymous.

APPLY

Click here for the Champion Fund application.

DONATE

Through your donations, the Champion Fund continues to help start TSA chapters at schools with financial considerations. Tax deductible donations may be made by individuals (such as members, officers, advisors, alumni, or parents), local chapters, state delegations, schools, communities, businesses, or other individuals or groups. Donors will receive an electronic receipt.

Click here to make your online contribution.

For more information about the Champion Fund, contact Maria Raza

National TSA Week October 7-11, 2024

National TSA Week, October 7-11, 2024, is a great opportunity for your chapter to create awareness of the Technology Student Association in your school and community, and to showcase member and chapter activities and accomplishments. National TSA Week is about TSA student members and TSA chapters, and the work achieved while “learning to lead in a technical world.” Check out 10 Ways to Celebrate National TSA Week. Use the official 2024-2025 TSA hashtag, #TSAExcellence, in your TSA-related posts, and tag @nationalTSA as you follow the themes for each day of National TSA Week:

• Mentor Monday: Share a picture of yourself with your TSA mentor.

• Team Tuesday: Share photos of a TSA team – an officer team, a competitive event team, etc.

• Why Wednesday: Share a story about why you joined TSA.

• Throwback Thursday: Showcase your evolution as a member of TSA: the early years versus now.

• Future Friday: Share how TSA has affected your STEM career path.

In addition:

• Share the TSA Week Proclamation.

• Use the National TSA Week Press Release Template. Create a press release to send to your local media and school system. Share your National TSA Week photos on your TSA chapter’s social media pages; tag @nationalTSA and use #NationalTSAWeek.

• Follow @nationalTSA on Facebook and Instagram. If posting, do NOT include content as defined by the disclaimer below: abusive or hurtful comments about a user or another participant; off-topic or other comments (this includes promotion or solicitation of events, groups, pages, websites, organizations, products, and programs not related to or affiliated with TSA); comments that use profanity, foul language, abusive language, or “hate speech” (for example, including - but not limited to - racial, ethnic, or gender-bashing language); private, personal information published without consent; comments that violate the privacy of any individual; material that is unlawful, obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, abusive, slanderous, hateful, or embarrassing to any person or entity as determined by TSA.

10 Ways to Celebrate TSA Advisor Appreciation Week

February 3-7, 2025

Technology Student Association Advisor Appreciation Week is February 3-7, 2025. Let your TSA advisor know how much you appreciate all the advisor does for your chapter. Here are 10 ways to celebrate TSA Advisor Appreciation Week.

1. Consider bringing snacks each day of the week for your advisor.

2. Express your chapter’s appreciation for your advisor during school announcements, a chapter meeting, or a school board meeting by presenting your advisor with a thank you card signed by each chapter member, chapter officer, and school administrators.

3. Use this downloadable, fillable TSA Advisor Appreciation Certificate on which you can type your advisor’s name, chapter name, and date; have the TSA chapter president sign the certificate, and present it to your chapter advisor.

4. Consider presenting your advisor with a gift card (examples: favorite store, local restaurant, activity/class related to an interest area).

5. Present your advisor with a TSA shirt or other TSA gear from the TSA Store

6. Consider purchasing an International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) or Association for Career and Technical Education® (ACTE) professional membership for your advisor.

7. Create a thank you banner to be displayed in a hall or classroom.

8. Make an advisor appreciation video and show the video at your chapter meeting.

9. Nominate your advisor for Chapter Advisor of the Year.

10. Post your photos of the week using #TSAadvisorAppreciationWeek on social media.

Parliamentary Procedure

TSA Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME

Section 1

The official name of this organization shall be the Technology Student Association and may be referred to as “TSA.”

ARTICLE II. PURPOSES

Section 1

The general purposes of this organization are to:

• assist state delegations in the growth and development of TSA.

• assist state delegations in the development and leadership in social, economic, educational and community activities.

• increase the knowledge and understanding of our technological world.

• assist technology education students in the making of informed and meaningful career goals.

Section 2

The specific purposes of this organization are to:

• develop, through individual and team work, the ability of members to plan, organize, and use a variety of resources to solve problems.

• explore technology and develop an understanding of technological literacy.

• promote high standards of learning through curricular resource activities.

• encourage students in expressing creativity.

• develop consumer awareness.

• provide career opportunity information pertaining to a broad range of occupations, including training requisites, working conditions, salaries or wages, and other relevant information.

• provide exploratory experiences in classrooms and laboratories and develop partnerships in business or industry to acquaint students with career opportunities.

• assist in providing guidance and counseling for students enrolled in technology education programs in making informed and meaningful career choices.

• expose students to the responsibility of representing a large membership.

• instill desirable work habits and attitudes toward the positive way of life in students and foster a deep respect for the dignity of work.

• prepare individuals for enrollment in advanced or highly skilled vocational and technical education programs.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP & ORGANIZATION

Section 1

The Technology Student Association is an organization of state delegations each operating in accordance with a charter granted by TSA, Inc.

Section 2

Each chartered delegation of TSA, Inc., will be responsible for all operational activities within that state or geographic unit under the direction of the State Supervisor of Technology Education or an appointed representative.

Section 3

Membership in TSA shall be through chartered state delegations. A delegation will consist of TSA chapters within a state, territory, or equivalent geographic unit. Each chapter will consist of individual members as described below:

• Active. Active members shall be students who are presently enrolled in or have been previously enrolled in technology education programs. An active member shall pay dues as established by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors, and may be declared eligible to hold a national office, to participate in national competitive events or projects, to serve as a national voting delegate, or to otherwise represent their delegations in National TSA affairs as may be approved by their delegations.

TSA Bylaws

• Associate. Associate members shall be students who are enrolled in related fields of instruction with emphasis in technology education or who have been previously enrolled in technology education programs. An associate member shall pay dues as established by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors. Associate members shall not vote or hold office.

• Alumni. Alumni members shall consist of those individuals who have completed an industrial arts/ technology education program (have been former active or associate TSA members) and who have graduated from or left school. Alumni members shall pay dues as established by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors. Alumni members shall not vote or hold office.

• Professional. Professional members are those individuals engaged in education, business, and industry who have interest in TSA and in the welfare of technology education. Professional members shall pay dues as established by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors. Professional members shall not vote or hold office.

• Honorary/Honorary Life. Honorary/Honorary Life members may be individuals who have made or are making contributions to the advancement of technology education as may be approved by the TSA Executive Committee and shall be exempt from annual dues.

Section 4

A state delegation may be chartered as a member of TSA, Inc., upon approval by the Board of Directors of TSA, Inc.

Section 5

A state delegation shall use its full state name before the acronym TSA when identifying itself as a chartered state delegation of TSA, Inc.

Section 6

Annual membership dues shall be determined by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors, National TSA Officers, and the state delegations. Those members who have not paid the current dues prior to the National TSA Conference shall be automatically dropped from active membership in TSA.

Section 7

The membership year shall be August 1 to July 31.

Section 8

The fiscal year shall be September 1 to August 31.

ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1

The National TSA officers shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, sergeant-at-arms, and reporter. No individual may serve more than one term as a national officer in the same office. These officers and the National TSA advisor(s) will be known collectively as the Executive Committee of TSA.

Section 2

• President: It shall be the duty of the president of TSA to preside at all meetings; to make necessary committee appointments including the designation of a committee chairperson; to develop with the Executive Committee a program of work for the term of office; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of TSA.

• Vice-President: It shall be the duty of the vice-president to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to accept the responsibility of the president as occasion may demand; to serve as chairperson of the TSA Council of State Presidents; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of TSA.

• Secretary: It shall be the duty of the secretary to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to record proceedings of all meetings; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of TSA.

• Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the treasurer to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to keep records and membership reports; and to be available, as necessary, promoting the general welfare of TSA.

TSA Bylaws

• Sergeant-at-Arms: It shall be the duty of the sergeantat-arms to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to assist in the preparation and control of the meeting place, in the event that a parliamentarian is not appointed by the president; to assist in conducting all meetings according to parliamentary procedure as set forth by the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of TSA.

• Reporter: It shall be the duty of the reporter to serve in any capacity as directed by the president; to accumulate and keep up-to-date information on the history of the association; to prepare articles for TSA publications, professional magazines and journals, newspapers and other news media; to contact other association members concerning news items for publication; and to be available, as necessary, in promoting the general welfare of TSA.

Section 3 . Qualifications for National Office

• Only an active member of TSA will be eligible to run for a national office. Students must have at least one year of high school eligibility remaining to run for national office. A student elected as a national officer at the annual meeting may not hold a state or local TSA office concurrently with the term as national officer.

• A student must be a member of TSA for at least one year before seeking a national office. A TSA member must have completed the eighth grade to be qualified for a national office. A TSA member must have served as an officer of the individual’s state association to be qualified as a national officer candidate. No more than three TSA members from the same state delegation may run for a national office in the same year.

Section 4 . Nominations

• The National TSA president shall appoint a credentials committee consisting of a national advisor; a national officer not seeking re-election; a state president who, while serving on this committee, has no national officers or national officer candidates from the individual’s state; a past national officer; and the executive director of TSA. This committee shall review all national officer candidates and their qualifications and will submit to the voting delegates a slate of all candidates declared eligible for each national office. There will be no additional nominations from the floor.

Section 5 . Elections

• National officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the voting delegates at the annual business meeting.

• Election of officers shall be by ballot vote.

• If there are more than two candidates for an office and a majority is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped, and the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes on each succeeding ballot will be dropped until a majority is reached.

• If there is only one candidate for an office, the candidate must receive at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total votes from the votes cast. In this type of election, delegates may vote “Yes”, “No”, or may abstain. To be elected, an unopposed candidate must receive an affirmative twothirds (2/3) vote from the total number of votes cast for that candidate by the delegates.

Section 6

The TSA Executive Committee may fill by appointment any vacancy occurring among the national officers for the unexpired term except the office of president, which shall be filled by the vice-president.

Section 7

National officers’ terms will begin at the close of the national conference at which they are elected, and they will serve until the close of the following national conference.

TSA Bylaws

Section 8

Failure to fulfill the obligations of a national office without legitimate cause will result in the removal from office by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors.

Section 9

If no one applies for a particular office by the official deadline date for a national officer candidate application or an unopposed candidate does not receive a two-thirds (2/3) majority, there shall be a special election called after the general election takes place at the annual business meeting.

Section 10

Those national officer candidates not elected to a National Office at the annual business meeting shall be the only members to be able to participate in the special election, however are not required to.

The special election shall be conducted after the winners of the general election have been announced. The participants of the special election may not campaign prior to the special election.

The special election shall not have any runoffs. The winner of the special election shall be the person with a plurality of the vote and will be announced immediately following the tabulation of the votes.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Section 1

A National TSA Conference will be held each year with the time, date, and place designated by the TSA, Inc., Board of Directors.

Section 2

Each chartered delegation will be entitled to one vote for each state officer in attendance {maximum of six (6)} plus two additional votes for each chapter in that state delegation that has student members in attendance at the conference.

Section 3

A majority of the registered voting delegates for the national conference shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1

The TSA Executive Committee shall consist of the National TSA officers and the National TSA Advisor(s).

Section 2

Meetings can be requested by the president and must be approved by the TSA advisor(s) and the TSA, Inc. executive director.

Section 3

A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4

The TSA Executive Committee shall appoint standing and special committees as deemed necessary.

ARTICLE VII. THE LOCAL TSA ADVISOR

Section 1

It is recommended that a technology education teacher serve as a chapter TSA advisor; however, in cases where there is no such interested teacher, a state certified educator may be appointed by the school’s principal. The appointed advisor would have all the rights and privileges of a regular advisor as long as that chapter is in good standing.

ARTICLE VIII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1

The TSA, Inc., Board of Directors is the policy making body for the administration of TSA activities and programs.

Section 2

The TSA, Inc., Board of Directors will manage TSA’s finances and will furnish an annual report to each chartered delegation.

TSA Bylaws

ARTICLE IX. COUNCIL OF STATE PRESIDENTS

Section 1

The TSA Council of State Presidents shall be a non-voting body of TSA consisting of state presidents from each of the chartered state delegations. The TSA Council of State Presidents shall be chaired by the National TSA VicePresident. It shall be the duty of the TSA Council of State Presidents to promote the general welfare of TSA through representative interaction between state TSA delegations.

ARTICLE X. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern TSA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.

ARTICLE XI. EMBLEM AND COLORS

Section 1

The TSA emblem is a rectangular shape with three parts. The middle section and largest part of the emblem contains the letters TSA in a very large, bold print. The letters are white on a blue background. Below these letters and about 1/3 the size, is the name of the association–Technology Student Association–in white letters on a red background. The top portion of the emblem is a blank, red, rectangular shape, the same size as the bottom area. This portion is intentionally left blank so that each state can put its own name on the emblem if desired.

Section 2

The colors of (School Name) TSA shall be scarlet (red) PMS 1795, white, and navy blue PMS 286.

• Scarlet (red)—represents the strength and determination of the technology education students and teachers to obtain their goal.

• White—represents the high standards, morals, and religious beliefs we hold.

• Blue (navy)—represents the sincerity of the technology education students and teachers in obtaining a greater knowledge of our technological world.

ARTICLE XII. MOTTO AND CREED

Section 1

The motto of the Technology Student Association will be: “Learning to lead in a technical world.”

Section 2

The creed of the Technology Student Association will be:

• I believe that Technology Education holds an important place in my life in the technical world. I believe there is a need for the development of good attitudes concerning work, tools, materials, experimentation, and processes of industry.

• Guided by my teachers, artisans from industry, and my own initiative, I will strive to do my best in making my school, community, state, and nation better places in which to live.

• I will accept the responsibilities that are mine. I will accept the theories that are supported by proper evidence. I will explore on my own for safer, more effective methods of working and living.

• I will strive to develop a cooperative attitude and will exercise tact and respect for other individuals. Through the work of my hands and mind, I will express my ideas to the best of my ability.

• I will make it my goal to do better each day the task before me, and to be steadfast in my belief in my God, and my fellow Americans.

TSA Bylaws

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1

To amend these bylaws, the proposed amendment(s) must be submitted in writing or by email by the chartered delegation to the President of TSA, Inc. at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting.

• A Bylaws Committee of the Board of Directors of TSA, Inc. will review all proposed amendments. All approved amendments will be submitted to the chartered delegations and the National TSA officers by the president (chairman) of the Board of Directors of TSA, Inc. at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.

• The proposed amendment must be approved by twothirds of the voting delegates present and voting at the annual meeting.

• Each chartered delegation will be entitled to one vote for each state officer in attendance {maximum of six (6)} plus two additional votes for each chapter in that state delegation that has student members in attendance at the conference.

• The president (chairman) of the Board of Directors of TSA, Inc. will be responsible for notifying in writing or by email to the Corporate Board member and State Advisor of the chartered delegations of adopted amendments within sixty (60) days of the annual meeting.

• Amendments will become effective in sixty (60) days unless a different time period is stipulated in the amendment.

Student Member Amended June 2018

Competition

High School Competitive Events Overview

ANIMATRONICS

To address the annual design challenge, participants exhibit and demonstrate their knowledge of mechanical and control systems by creating an animatronic device with a specific purpose (i.e., communicate an idea, entertain, demonstrate a concept, etc.) that includes sound, lights, and an appropriate surrounding environment (a display).

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

In response to the annual design challenge, participants develop a set of architectural plans and related materials, and construct both a physical and computer-generated model to accurately depict their design. Semifinalists deliver a presentation and participate in an interview.

AUDIO PODCASTING

Participants use digital audio technology to create original content for a podcast piece that addresses the annual theme. The podcast must feature high level storytelling techniques, voice acting, and folly sound effects; the full entry must include documentation of the podcast development process and elements. Semifinalists participate in an interview.

BIOTECHNOLOGY DESIGN

Participants select a contemporary biotechnology problem that addresses the annual theme and demonstrates understanding of the topic through documented research, the development of a solution, a display (including an optional model or prototype), and an effective multimedia presentation. Semifinalists deliver a presentation and participate in an interview.

BOARD GAME DESIGN

Participants develop, build, and package a board game that focuses on a subject of their choice. Creative packaging, and the instructions, pieces, and cards associated with the pilot game will be evaluated. Semifinalists set up the game, demonstrate how the game is played, explain the game’s features, and discuss the design process.

CHAPTER TEAM

Participants take a parliamentary procedure test to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists conduct an opening ceremony, items of business, parliamentary actions, and a closing ceremony.

CHILDREN’S STORIES

In response to the annual theme, participants create an illustrated children’s story of artistic, instructional, and social value, and submit documentation related to the development of the physical storybook. Semifinalists read their story aloud and participate in an interview.

CODING

Participants take a test, which concentrates on aspects of coding, to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists develop a software program – in a designated amount of time – that accurately addresses an onsite problem.

COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (CAD), ARCHITECTURE

Participants use complex computer graphic skills, tools, and processes to respond to a design challenge in which they develop representations of architectural subjects, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry. The solution to the design challenge and participant answers in an interview are evaluated.

COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (CAD), ENGINEERING

Participants use complex computer graphic skills, tools, and processes to respond to a design challenge in which they develop three-dimensional representations of engineering subjects, such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product. The solution to the design challenge and participant answers in an interview are evaluated.

High School Competitive Events Overview

DATA SCIENCE AND ANALYTICS

Participants identify a societal issue, collect or compile data from various sources about the issue, and then produce documentation and a digital scientific poster about their findings. Semifinalists create a synopsis and digital visual representation of a data set provided in an onsite challenge.

DEBATING TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES

Participants research the annual topic and subtopics and prepare for a debate against a team from another chapter. Teams are instructed to take either the pro or con side of a selected subtopic, submit a summary of references, and use their research to support their assigned position. The quality of a team’s debate determines semifinalists and finalists.

DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION

Participants develop and submit a digital video and a documentation portfolio (including such items as a storyboard, script, summary of references and sources, and equipment list) that reflects the annual theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview.

DRAGSTER DESIGN

Participants design, draw, and construct a CO2-powered dragster that adheres to specifications, design and documentation requirements, and the annual theme. Semifinalists compete in a double-elimination race and participate in an interview.

DRONE CHALLENGE (UAV)

Participants design, build, assemble, document, and test fly an open-source Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) according to the stated annual theme/problem specifications. The required documentation portfolio must include elements such as a photographic log, wiring schematics, and a description of the programming software used. Semifinalists participate in an interview.

ENGINEERING DESIGN

Participants develop a solution to an annual theme that is based on a specific challenge noted by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in its compilation of the grand challenges for engineering in the 21st century. The solution will include a documentation portfolio, a display, and a model/prototype. Semifinalists deliver a presentation and participate in an interview.

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH

Participants select a technology-related or TSA topic from among three topic cards and prepare and give a three-tofive-minute speech that communicates their knowledge of the chosen topic. The quality of the speech determines advancement to the semifinalist level of competition, for which an identical competition procedure is followed to determine finalists.

FASHION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

To address the annual theme, participants demonstrate expertise in fashion design principles by creating a wearable garment, garment patterns, and a documentation portfolio. Semifinalist teams present their garment designs (worn by team models), discuss the design process with evaluators, and respond to interview questions.

FLIGHT ENDURANCE

Participants design, build, fly, and adjust (trim) a rubberband powered model aircraft to make long endurance flights inside a contained airspace. Documentation (including elements such as attributes of the model design, drawings, and an analysis of the trim modifications), an inspection of the model and the required model flight box, and official times for two flights are aspects of the evaluation.

High School Competitive Events Overview

FORENSIC SCIENCE

Participants take a test of basic forensic science to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists examine a mock crime scene and demonstrate their knowledge of forensic science through crime scene analysis, with the findings synthesized in a written report/analysis.

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY TEACHER

Participants research a developing technology, prepare a video showing an application of the technology in the classroom, and create a lesson plan/activity that features the application and connects to the Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL), as well as STEM initiatives and integration. Semifinalists demonstrate the lesson plan and answer questions about their presentation.

GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY

To address the issue presented in an annual theme, participants interpret geospatial data and develop a digital portfolio containing maps, data, and pertinent documentation. Semifinalists defend their projections and visual infographic during a presentation/interview.

MANUFACTURING PROTOTYPE

Participants design, fabricate, and use Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) to create a product that addresses the annual theme. A documentation portfolio and the completed product prototype are submitted for evaluation. Semifinalists give a product “sales pitch” and demonstration.

MUSIC PRODUCTION

Participants produce an original musical piece designed to be played during the closing session of the national TSA conference. The quality of the musical piece and required documentation (including elements such as a plan of work, self-evaluation, and a list of hardware, software, and instruments used) determines advancement to the semifinal level of competition, during which semifinalist participants are interviewed.

ON DEMAND VIDEO

Once participants receive the challenge details (required criteria, such as props and a line of dialogue) at the national TSA conference, they have 36 hours to produce a 60-second film that showcases video skills, tools, and communication processes. The quality of the completed video production determines the finalists.

PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY

Participants produce a photographic portfolio - demonstrating expertise in photo and imaging technology processes - to convey a message based on the annual theme. Semifinalists have 24 hours to complete a portfolio of photos (with required documentation) taken onsite at the national TSA conference. Finalists are determined based on the quality of the semifinal portfolio, the portfolio presentation, and interview responses.

PREPARED PRESENTATION

Participants deliver a three-to-five-minute oral presentation related to the current national TSA conference theme. Both semifinalists and finalists are determined based on the quality of the presentation and the appropriate use and content of the accompanying required slide deck.

PROMOTIONAL DESIGN

Participants use computerized graphic communications layout and design skills to produce a promotional resource packet. The resource must address the annual theme/ problem and include at least four printed publication items and required documentation. Semifinalists demonstrate publishing competency in an onsite technical design challenge.

ROBOTICS

Participants design, build, document, and test a robot assembled using open-sourced parts according to stated specifications and to meet the challenge of the yearly theme/problem.

High School Competitive Events Overview

SENIOR SOLAR SPRINT

Students apply scientific understanding, creativity, experimentation, and teamwork to design, build, and race a model solar vehicle that carries a payload; documentation of the process is required. Students must register on Cvent to participate and begin the SSS journey.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Participants use their knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, algorithm design, problem-solving principles, effective communication, and collaboration to design, implement, test, document, and present a software development project of educational or social value. Both semifinalists and finalists are determined based on the quality of the presentation and project.

STEM MASS MEDIA

In response to an annual theme, participants use written and verbal communication skills to convey a news story in both a video broadcast (preliminary round) and a digital written format (semifinal round). Participants must demonstrate a strong understanding of journalism etiquette and the common practices of the field of mass media.

STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

Participants apply the principles of structural engineering to design and construct a structure that complies with the annual challenge. An assessment of the required documentation and the destructive testing of the structure (to determine its design efficiency) determine both semifinalists and finalists.

SYSTEM CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

Participants develop a solution to a problem (typically one from an industrial setting) presented onsite at the conference. They analyze the problem, build a computer-controlled mechanical model, program the model, demonstrate the programming and mechanical features of the model-solution in an interview, and provide instructions for evaluators to operate the model.

TECHNOLOGY BOWL

Participants demonstrate their knowledge of TSA and concepts addressed in technology content standards by completing an objective test. Semifinalist teams participate in a question/response, head-to-head, team competition.

TECHNOLOGY PROBLEM SOLVING

Participants use problem-solving skills to design and construct a finite solution to a challenge provided onsite at the conference. Solutions are evaluated at the end of 90 minutes using measures appropriate to the challenge, such as elapsed time, horizontal or vertical distance, and/or strength.

TRANSPORTATION MODELING

Participants research, design, and produce a scale model of a vehicle that complies with the annual design problem. A display for the model and a documentation portfolio –containing elements such as a description of the vehicle, photographs and commentary detailing the vehicle production, and technical illustrations – are required. Semifinalists participate in an interview.

VIDEO GAME DESIGN

Participants design, build, and launch an E-rated online video game – with accompanying required documentation – that addresses the annual theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise they gained during the development of the game.

VIRTUAL REALITY SIMULATION (VR)

Participants use video and 3D computer graphics tools and design processes to create a two-to-three-minute VR simulation (accompanied by supporting documentation) that addresses the annual theme. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their simulation and participate in an interview.

WEBMASTER

Participants design, build, and launch a website that addresses the annual challenge. Semifinalists participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website.

High School Competition Themes and Problems

ANIMATRONICS

Design Problem: Following the specified requirements, create an animatronic exhibit for a public library that brings a book to life to excite young readers.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Background: There are many kinds of museums throughout the country and the world. From an architectural perspective, museums are designed to incorporate and reflect the kinds of things that are displayed in the exhibitions. The types and purposes of museums are truly an amazing spectrum. Types and purposes include (but are not limited to) – architecture, art, cars, children’s, living history, maritime, medical, military, natural history, science, and gardens.

Challenge (Design Considerations and Constraints): The 2025 design problem is to select a type and location for a museum of the team’s choice and then design a museum that meets the following considerations and constraints.

1. Conduct research on museum types, designing a museum, planning a museum, and construction of a museum.

2. Select a location for a museum and incorporate the necessary building codes and materials available in the immediate area.

3. The maximum land space is two (2) acres. The overall solution does not require use of the entire space, nor is the model required to include the entire space.

4. The design must include, as a minimum, storage areas, nine exhibit areas (of various sizes), classrooms, restrooms for guests and staff, a theater for 20 people, food/vending, employee break areas, and an office for 3 employees.

5. Vehicle parking is included in the planning and drawings, but the model should focus on the museum.

6. Additional features can be included at the discretion of the team.

7. The finished design can be all one floor or up to three floors.

8. A maximum of 24" x 24" site board must be used for submitting the model.

AUDIO PODCASTING

Theme: Preparing to compete in a TSA event and/or preparing for your first TSA conference

BIOTECHNOLOGY DESIGN

Topic: Tissue Engineering. Tissue Engineering is a biomedical engineering discipline that uses a combination of cells, engineering, materials methods, and suitable biochemical and physicochemical factors to restore, maintain, improve, or replace different types of biological tissues.

CHILDREN’S STORIES

Theme: Create a “touch and feel” or interactive storybook that introduces TSA and its benefits to young readers in an engaging manner.

CODING

The following programming languages may be used to complete the assigned problems:

• C version C17

• C++ version C++20

• C# version 8

• Java version 21.0

• Javascript/Node version 18.19

• Python version 3.9

• Ruby version 3.2

• Rust version 1.75

• Swift version 5.10

DATA SCIENCE & ANALYTICS

Identify and use a “Real Estate,” “Housing,” and/or “Community” related open-source data set for your analyses and research. In the scientific poster, cite the source of the data, including the URL/domain and file format.

High School Competition Themes and Problems

DEBATING TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES

Topic: Biotechnology

• Subtopic 1: Biometric identification poses a security threat within the digital world.

• Subtopic 2: Gene-editing biotechnologies such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system, set a dangerous precedent for science applications in healthcare.

• Subtopic 3: Brain interface technologies, such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink, provide a unique and beneficial solution to mental health issues.

DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION

Theme: Create a short film that includes at least 30 seconds of animation

DRAGSTER

Address weights and lengths only; there are no special design challenges.

DRONE CHALLENGE (UAV)

Challenge: Dinosaur Rescue

ENGINEERING DESIGN

Theme: Manage the nitrogen cycle

FASHION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

Theme: Create a prototype of a marching band uniform for a performance with the theme of “Earth, Wind, Fire, Water.” The prototype must include a type of wearable technology. No pyrotechnics or ignitable elements are permitted.

Teams will submit one (1) or two (2) garments for judging (top and bottom or one [1]-piece.) All required components must fit inside a 32-quart plastic container. Any accessories (hats, gloves, boots, etc.) may be used during semifinalist presentations, however, they are not submitted in the preliminary round.

GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY

Theme: Identity a disaster threat, natural or otherwise, that may impact your community. Develop an infographic that communicates hazard zones, evacuation routes, and resource distribution.

MANUFACTURING PROTOTYPE

Theme: An item that can be used as picture frames for a home or office while also serving another purpose.

MUSIC PRODUCTION

Theme: Create a musical piece that will be used as the background music for a role-playing game (RPG) video game. It will be played during the parts of the game when the player’s character is visiting the blacksmith.

PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY

Theme: Using five photographs, tell a story about your journey in TSA. The type of photo (color, black and white, macro, still life, and student choice) should add to the impact of the story you are sharing.

PREPARED PRESENTATION

Theme: Develop a presentation that highlights the field of digital music production, including the timeline of its origin, development, fruition, and release of the technology on a global scale.

PROMOTIONAL DESIGN

Theme: Branding materials for a fictitious restaurant; the four (4) Promotional Folder items are student choice.

ROBOTICS

Design Problem

High School Competition Themes and Problems

STEM MASS MEDIA

Theme: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are advanced technologies that enable direct communication between the brain and computers. Using electrodes placed on the scalp, BCIs detect brain signals that are then translated into commands for computers. These signals can control various applications, from typing messages to playing video games, solely through thought. BCIs have practical applications beyond entertainment; they assist individuals with disabilities by allowing them to operate prosthetic limbs or communicate when speech is impaired. BCIs represent a remarkable intersection of neuroscience and computer science, offering promising solutions for both medical and technological advancements.

Based on the following headline (link below), develop a news broadcast that includes an introduction of the headline, a summary of the information in the news story, and an explanation of potential future implications of the highlighted work.

www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1039721

STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

• Problem Statement

• Verification Form

TRANSPORTATION MODELING

Design Problem: Food trucks

VIDEO GAME DESIGN

Theme: Kid’s card game, 2 to 4 players, playable on one (1) screen and one (1) keyboard at a time

VIRTUAL REALITY SIMULATION (VR)

Theme: Create a virtual reality (VR) simulation of a family vacation destination that includes experiences and activities that appeal to both young children and teenagers.

WEBMASTER

Topic: A restaurant (dine-in and carry-out) that specializes in vegetarian food.

Challenge: Design a website for a vegan/vegetarian restaurant. Showcase the restaurant’s approach (such as farm-to-table, preparation processes, and sustainability) to the food served in the restaurant.

High School Competitive Events

Eligibility

2025 & 2026 HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITIONS ELIGIBILITY

Animatronics

Architectural Design

Audio Podcasting

Biotechnology Design

Board Game Design

Chapter Team

Children’s Stories

Coding

Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Architecture

Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Engineering

Data Science and Analytics

Debating Technological Issues

Digital Video Production

Dragster Design

Drone Challenge (UAV)

Engineering Design

Extemporaneous Speech

Fashion Design and Technology

Flight Endurance

Forensic Science

Future Technology and Engineering Teacher

Geospatial Technology

Manufacturing Prototype

Music Production

On Demand Video

Photographic Technology

Prepared Presentation

Promotional Design

Robotics

Senior Solar Sprint

Software Development

STEM Mass Media

Structural Design and Engineering

System Control Technology

Technology Bowl

Technology Problem Solving

Transportation Modeling

Video Game Design

Virtual Reality Simulation (VR)

Webmaster

three (3) teams of two to three (2-3) team members per state

one (1) team per chapter; individual entries are permitted

three (3) teams per state; individual entries are permitted

one (1) team per chapter

one (1) team per chapter

one (1) team of six (6) members per chapter

three (3) teams or three (3) individuals per state

three (3) teams of two (2) individuals per state

two (2) individuals per state

two (2) individuals per state

three (3) teams of two (2) individuals per state; individual entries are permitted

three (3) teams of two (2) individuals per state

three (3) teams or three (3) individuals per state

two (2) individuals per chapter

teams of two (2) to six (6) members; three (3) teams per state.

three (3) teams of three (3) or more individuals per state

three (3) individuals per state

five (5) teams of two to four (2-4) individuals per state

two (2) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

three (3) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of two to three (2-3) individuals per chapter

one (1) team per chapter

three (3) teams per state; individual entries are permitted

one (1) team per chapter

one (1) individual per chapter

three (3) individuals per state

three (3) individuals per state

three (3) teams of two to six (2-6) team members per state

one (1) team of two to four (2-4) individuals per chapter; one (1) entry per team

one (1) team per chapter; presentation/interview is limited to three (3) members

one (1) team of two to three (2-3) members per chapter

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

two (2) teams of three (3) individuals per state

one (1) team of three (3) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

one (1) individual per chapter

five (5) teams per state

one (1) team per chapter; individual entries are permitted

one (1) team per chapter

High School Competition Updates

Please check the TSA website regularly for updates.

Middle School Competitive Events Overview

BIOTECHNOLOGY

To address the annual theme, participants select a contemporary biotechnology issue and demonstrate understanding of the topic through their documented research and an original display. Semifinalists participate in an interview.

CAREER PREP

Based on the annual theme, participants conduct research on a technology-related career, prepare a letter of introduction to a potential employer, and develop a job-specific resume. Semifinalists participate in a mock job interview.

CHALLENGING TECHNOLOGY ISSUES

Following the onsite random selection of a technology topic from a group of pre-conference posted topics, participants work to prepare for and deliver a debate-style presentation, in which they explain opposing views of the selected topic.

CHAPTER TEAM

Participants take a parliamentary procedure test to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists conduct an opening ceremony, items of business, parliamentary actions, and a closing ceremony.

CHILDREN’S STORIES

Participants create an illustrated children’s story based on the annual theme. The entry product is a physical storybook of artistic, instructional, and social value. Semifinalists read their story aloud and participate in an interview.

CODING

To qualify for the semifinal round of competition, participants take a test that concentrates on computer science and coding. Semifinalists demonstrate their programming knowledge by developing a solution to an onsite coding challenge.

COMMUNITY SERVICE VIDEO

Participants create a video that depicts the local TSA chapter’s involvement in a community service project. Semifinalists deliver a presentation on the project and participate in an interview.

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN (CAD) FOUNDATIONS

Participants demonstrate their understanding of CAD fundamentals by creating a two-dimensional (2D) graphic representation of an engineering part or object and answering questions from evaluators about their entry.

CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGE

Participants submit a scale model, display, and documentation portfolio for a design that fulfills a community need related to construction. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their entry and participate in an interview.

CYBERSECURITY FOUNDATIONS

Participants take a test that assesses knowledge of cybersecurity vocabulary and the skills needed to execute common cybersecurity tasks. Using digital presentation software, semifinalists deliver a presentation that addresses the annual theme/problem.

DATA SCIENCE AND ANALYTICS

Participants conduct research on the annual topic, collect data, use analytics to assess the data and make predictions, and document their work in a portfolio and a display. To address a challenge presented onsite at the conference, semifinalists review specific data sets, provide insights, make predictions, and present their findings for evaluation.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Participants produce and submit a digital photographic portfolio that relates to the annual theme. Semifinalists participate in an onsite photographic challenge and a presentation/interview.

Middle School Competitive Events Overview

DRAGSTER

Participants design, draw, and construct a CO2-powered dragster that adheres to the annual specifications, design and documentation requirements, and theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview and compete in a double-elimination race.

ELECTRICAL APPLICATIONS

Participants take a test on basic electrical and electronic theory. In response to an onsite challenge, semifinalists assemble a specified circuit from a schematic diagram, make required electrical measurements, and explain their solution in an interview.

ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY

Participants conduct research on specific subtopics from a broad technology area posted as part of the annual theme. Using a previously prepared note card as an approved resource, participants draft an outline of the subtopic randomly selected onsite at the conference. Semifinalists write an essay on that subtopic.

FLIGHT

Participants submit a documentation portfolio and fabricate a glider designed to stay in flight for the greatest elapsed time. Semifinalists use their technical drawing skills to construct a glider that is flown onsite.

FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY

Participants take a test of basic forensic science theory to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists participate in an onsite forensic skills demonstration.

INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS

To address the annual theme, participants research a need - and brainstorm a solution - for an invention or innovation of a device, system, or process. Participants document their work in an interactive display and the creation of a model/ prototype. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their work and participate in an interview.

JUNIOR SOLAR SPRINT (JSS)

Participants apply STEM concepts, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to design, construct, and race a solar-powered model car. Documentation of the process is required. Learn more about JSS, then register via an Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) portal to begin the JSS journey.

LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES

Participants prepare for and deliver a presentation about a specific challenge that officers of a TSA chapter might encounter. Semifinalists follow the same competition procedure but must respond to a different chapter challenge.

MASS PRODUCTION

Participants manufacture a marketable product that addresses the annual theme. The development of the product prototype is documented in a portfolio that presents participant knowledge and skills related to the mass production process. Through a demonstration of the prototype and an interview, semifinalists support the viability of the prototype.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Participants design, document, and build a mechanical device (mousetrap car) that incorporates the elements of the annual theme/problem – and then race the car. Finalists are determined based on an evaluation of the documentation portfolio, the race exit interview, and the race placement.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Participants conduct research on a contemporary medical technology issue related to the annual theme, document their research, create a display, and build a prototype. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their entry and participate in an interview.

Middle School Competitive Events Overview

MICROCONTROLLER DESIGN

To address the annual theme/problem, participants design and create a working digital device, document the development process, and demonstrate their product as part of a presentation.

OFF THE GRID

Based on the annual theme, participants conduct research on a sustainable architectural design for a home in a country not their own. Participants produce a portfolio and create a display and a model. Semifinalists present their design and participate in an interview.

PREPARED SPEECH

Participants deliver a timed speech that relates to the theme of the current national TSA conference. Semifinalists and finalists are determined using the same competition procedure.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Participants use problem-solving skills to design and build a solution to an onsite challenge. Solutions are evaluated using measures appropriate to the challenge, such as elapsed time, horizontal or vertical distance, and/or strength.

PROMOTIONAL MARKETING

Participants create and submit a marketing portfolio and required elements that address the annual theme/problem. Semifinalists complete a layout and design assignment for evaluation.

STEM ANIMATION

Participants design and create a STEM animation video and documentation portfolio to address the annual theme/ problem. Semifinalists present their animation and explain the elements of their portfolio/entry.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Participants apply the principles of structural engineering to design and construct a structure that complies with the annual challenge. An assessment of the required documentation and the destructive testing of the structure (to determine its design efficiency) determine both semifinalists and finalists.

SYSTEM CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

In response to a challenge presented onsite at the conference, participants analyze a problem (typically one in an industrial setting), build and program a computer-controlled mechanical model to solve the problem, explain the program and the features of the mechanical model solution, and provide instructions for evaluators to operate the device.

TECH BOWL

Participants demonstrate their knowledge of TSA and concepts addressed in technology content standards by completing an objective test. Semifinalists participate in a head-to-head, team competition.

TECHNICAL DESIGN

Participants demonstrate their ability to use the technical design process to solve an engineering design problem provided onsite at the conference. Required elements of the entry are presented in a portfolio that includes technical drawings for a minimum of three viable solutions.

VIDEO GAME DESIGN

Participants design, build, provide documentation for, and launch an E-rated, online game on a subject of their choice. Onsite at the conference, semifinalists deliver a presentation and participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the game.

VLOGGING

Participants use digital video technology to create original content about a pre-determined technology theme. Semifinalists compete in an onsite challenge to produce additional video(s) based on specified criteria, such as provided props, lines of dialog, and topics.

WEBSITE DESIGN

To address the annual challenge, participants design, build, provide documentation for, and launch a website that incorporates the elements of website design, graphic layout, and proper coding techniques. Semifinalists participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website.

Middle School Competition

Themes and Problems

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Theme: Removal of pollutants from the land OR production of biodegradable, disposable plastic for the storage of food

CAREER PREP

Theme: Select a career from one (1) of the following:

• Bioenergy Technicians

• Data Architect

• Machine Learning Engineer

• Nurse Practitioner

CHALLENGING TECHNOLOGY ISSUES

Topics:

• Free internet access

• Reality television

• Setting the minimum age to own a smartphone at 16

• Artificial Intelligence

• Digital Learning

CHILDREN’S STORIES

Theme: Students will create a book for children in grades Pre-K - 2nd Grade. The book should focus on the importance of inclusion and teamwork.

CODING

To prepare for MS Coding competition, teams should have knowledge of concepts (software development, computer science, and coding topics) that will be on the Coding written test. They also should be familiar and comfortable with using the Scratch programming language.

Scratch is a free visual programming language available from the MIT Media Lab (scratch.mit.edu/download). An offline version of the Scratch tool should be downloaded and available on each team’s laptop.

Teams that advance to the semifinalist level, based on written test performance, will perform a challenge using the Scratch programming language. Semifinalist teams will receive the challenge on site and will have two hours to complete it. (PLEASE NOTE: Semifinalist teams MUST have a version of this program available for offline use, as there will be no Internet access available during the semifinalist level of the competition.)

Examples of the types of challenges students may be asked to complete can be found at this link: scratch.mit.edu/ starter-projects

CYBERSECURITY

Problem Statement: Employees at Corp Inc. are being targeted by hackers using brute force attacks on the passwords resulting in important information being leaked.

DATA SCIENCE AND ANALYTICS

Topic: Predicting a specific animal’s behavior from tracking GPS data or data concerning an animal’s behavior.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Theme: Editorial/Commercial Photography

Students must submit a portfolio of four (4) digital photographs for a magazine spread (genre of their choice) with one being vintage in appearance.

DRAGSTER

No special design requirements for 2023-2024.

ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY

Topic: Technology refers to methods, systems, and devices which are the result of scientific knowledge being used for practical purposes.

Subtopics:

• The three greatest examples of technology in our lives.

• Important technology examples for learning.

• Technologies that should receive the greatest funding and testing for future development.

Middle School Competition Themes and Problems

FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY

Be familiar with, and be able to demonstrate, the following forensic concepts:

• Forensic Entomology

• Forensic Anthropology

• Digital Forensics

INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS

Theme: A device that promotes school safety (e.g., security, monitoring, sensing)

MASS PRODUCTION

Theme: A traveling game (a game that can be played in the car on a road trip)

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Problem Statement: Start line to full stop finish line distance is 10 feet.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Theme: Emergency Medicine and Disaster Response: technologies that improve emergency medical services and aid in disaster response situations.

MICROCONTROLLER DESIGN

Theme: Interactive automated insect

OFF THE GRID

Design Brief: Design a home in a country containing a Grassland biome for a family of three (3) with two (2) generations living in the home. The country can be any country containing the grassland biome of your choice. The house must be designed for an area that does not have access to a power grid. In addition, the house must include a renewable energy source, one (1) agricultural system, and solve one (1) problem that is specific to the area.

PREPARED SPEECH

Theme: Evolution of Excellence

PROMOTIONAL MARKETING

Theme: Summer Middle School TSA is hosting a STEM night at the school and your goal is to create the marketing materials for this event.

Additional Information:

• Date of event: May 20

• Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Your promotional toolkit needs to include the following three items.

• Printable: Design a bi-fold brochure

• Wearable: A t-shirt that can be given to participants

• Digital Signage: Short video (1½ - 2½ minutes) to be shown at the STEM night event

STEM ANIMATION

Theme: The use of robots in the medical field

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

• Design Brief

• Verification Form

VLOGGING

Theme: Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence

Minimum number of videos: 4

WEBSITE DESIGN

Design Brief: Website for a Makerspace

Challenge: Develop a website for a fictitious makerspace in a community. It should provide information about what equipment and services the makerspace offers, membership information, hours, and a calendar of events. It should be easy to follow and include an option to reserve equipment or space.

Middle School Competitive Events Eligibility

2024 & 2025 MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITIONS ELIGIBILITY

Each participant/team shall submit only one [1] entry for the following competitive events.

Biotechnology

Career Prep

Challenging Technology Issues

Chapter Team

Children’s Stories

Coding

Community Service Video

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Foundations

Construction Challenge

Cybersecurity

Data Science and Analytics

Digital Photography

Dragster

Electrical Applications

Essays on Technology

five (5) teams per state, consisting of at least three (3) individuals

one (1) individual per chapter

three (3) teams of two (2) individuals per state

one (1) team of six (6) individuals per chapter

three (3) teams per state; individual entries are permitted

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

one (1) team per chapter; individual entries are permitted

two (2) individuals per state

one (1) team of at least two (2) individuals per chapter

three (3) individuals per chapter

three (3) teams of two to three (2-3) individuals per state

three (3) individuals per state

two (2) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

three (3) individuals per state

Flight two (2) individuals per chapter

Forensic Technology

Inventions and Innovations

Junior Solar Sprint

Leadership Strategies

Mass Production

Mechanical Engineering

Medical Technology

Microcontroller Design

Off the Grid

Prepared Speech

Problem Solving

Promotional Marketing

STEM Animation

Structural Engineering

System Control Technology

Tech Bowl

Technical Design

Video Game Design

Vlogging

Website Design

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of three (3) to six (6) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of two to four (2-4) individuals per chapter

three (3) teams of three (3) individuals per state

one (1) team of at least three (3) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of two to three (2-3) individuals per chapter

three (3) teams per state

one (1) team per chapter; individual entries are permitted

three (3) teams per state; individual entries are permitted

three (3) individuals per state

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

one (1) individual per chapter

three (3) teams of two (2) individuals per state

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of three (3) individuals per state

one (1) team of three (3) individuals per chapter

one (1) team of two (2) individuals per chapter

One (1) team of two (2) to six (6) individuals per chapter

two (2) teams of two (2) to six (6) members per chapter

one (1) team of at least three (3) and a maximum of six (6) individuals per chapter

Middle School Competition Updates

Please

Competition Tips for Students

• Read the rules…. ALL the rules.

– Begin with the General Rules in the front section of the Competitive Events Guide. The general rules apply to all middle and high school competitions. They establish specific norms, such as no personal/school identification on competition entries.

– Next, carefully review the specific rules for the competitive event you wish to enter. If you have questions about any rules or regulations, ask your chapter advisor for clarification.

• When planning your entry, remember that it is important to follow a research-based approach. In other words, let the research drive the solution and not the other way around.

• As you develop your entry, use the rules for your event as a checklist, marking each task as it is completed.

• If the event you are competing in has an annual theme, make sure to check the National TSA website (“Themes & Problems”) to obtain the theme or problem for the current school year.

• Remember, the rules of the events are not suggestions, they are requirements. If the portfolio calls for one page of research, don’t produce two pages. This is a rules violation, and your entry will be penalized.

• In addition to the rules, let the official event rating form/ rubric guide you as you develop your entry. There are two areas of the scoring rubric that require attention:

1. Go/No Go Section at the top of the official event rating form/rubric.

Go/No Go Specifications are a checklist at the beginning of the official event rating form/rubric. Specifications in the checklist are required items that must be met, or the entry will not be judged.

2. Rubric Descriptions for each section of the entry. Rubric Descriptions are descriptors for each criterion being measured in a rubric. Descriptors provide TSA members with a greater understanding of the expectations for each section of their entry, allowing them to better prepare for an event.

• Check the National TSA website (“Competition Updates”) multiple times during your preparation process for updated information about TSA general rules and competitive event guidelines.

• Make sure all required forms are included and signed by your chapter advisor. Many research based events will require a Copyright Checklist and/or a Plan of Work Log. Requirements such as these will be listed as part of the rules for the competitive event. Forms must be signed by a chapter advisor and must be present at the time of entry submission.

• For all competitive events that require a portfolio and/ or documentation, references must follow an approved citation style.

• Make sure you are aware of and comply with the required dress code for your competitive event. Dress code requirements are identified at the beginning of each competitive event, and a detailed explanation of dress code guidelines can be found in the front section of the Competitive Events Guide.

The TSA Competitive Event Interview

An interview is an element of many TSA competitive events, typically in the semifinalist portion of an event. Interviews are conducted by evaluators, who question an individual, a select number of team members, or all the members of a team – as designated in a competition’s guidelines. Refer to the specific rules for each competitive event for important information about interview regulations; refer to each competition’s rubric for interview judging criteria.

• For team events, know in advance (from reading the rules of an event) the number of team members allowed to be present during an interview.

• Myth: The interview is a presentation about your competition entry. While you may be asked to present an overview of your project, the interview is more about specific questions from evaluators and your answers to those questions. At the point of an interview, evaluators already have familiarized themselves with your entry –and viewed your product/display/documentation. In the interview, judges are looking for details. To prepare for the interview, expect questions to come from one or more of these areas:

– For a team event, the role of each of the team members (who did what)

– How your idea/project was developed

– The process involved in creating the entry (such as coding, or the use of CAD and modeling)

– The real-world implications of your research/idea

Example interview questions:

– How did you decide to pursue the specific theme of the project?

– How did you prioritize the workload for this project?

– What skills were important to ensure the completion of this project?

– If you documented the progress of the project, what was the method of documentation?

– What did you team learn from completing this project?

– If this project experienced failure while being developed, how did you handle the failure?

– How could this project have an impact on elements in the real world?

General interview tips:

– Practice responding to possible interview questions before the actual interview.

– Answer the question asked by an evaluator. Don’t ramble or segue to another topic.

– Be precise; articulate the answer.

– Be aware of your physical presence, such as posture, appearance (neat/untidy), etc.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Integration

For a number of years, not only educators, but also political, civic, and industry leaders have pushed for a greater emphasis on STEM education in schools. It is globally recognized that in order for any nation to be competitive, future generations must develop competency in the 21st century skills afforded through STEM fields. TSA promotes a vision of students literate in these fields and believes its competitions and programs help make that vision a reality.

STEM education is not just an isolated and discreet acquisition of STEM knowledge and skills. Rather, STEM education demands the interdisciplinary application of these academic fields to improve outcomes in comprehension, communication, and problem solving. It is commonly accepted that the correlation between STEM disciplines is interdependent. In order to develop a deep comprehension of one STEM area, one must simultaneously have an encompassing knowledge of another. For example, to design and engineer with any degree of complexity, one also must be familiar with technology, mathematics, and science. To practice science, one must have a firm knowledge of mathematics and technology.

Beyond necessity, there is another reason for STEM education in schools and why the TSA program of activities inherently aligns with STEM goals. This reason revolves around teaching, learning, and what motivates our 21st century learners.

When students participate in TSA competitions, they find they must not only embrace the value of design when they compete, but they also must conceptualize, assess, and materialize that vision. Students may choose to work collaboratively, depending upon the requirements of an event, or they may choose to work independently.

Irrespective of this choice, students develop the essential leadership and critical thinking skills to execute their strategy and align their intention with the STEM objectives in a competition. STEM education is intrinsically exciting, rewarding, and meaningful for instructors and students alike. Using TSA competitive events, instructors challenge students to solve real-world problems through project-based learning and reflective experiences. This rigorous process supplements and complements classroom objectives by asking students to critically evaluate all aspects of their thought processes— from design, to communication, to execution.

Deserving of mention are three other essential areas embedded in most of TSA’s competitive events— creativity, innovation, and ethics. Teaching students to think outside the box while considering the ethical consequences provides a global perspective essential to the success of our society.

Essentially, in TSA competitions students are asked to embrace STEM concepts and design creatively, while assessing the effects and impacts of what they develop.

TSA competitions align with commonly accepted national standards for the areas of science, technology, and mathematics, as well as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET, Inc.) criteria for accrediting higher education engineering programs.

Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS)

COMPETING IN TEAMS

Teams of two to four students compete during a designated time period in three TEAMS competition components::

TEAMS challenges middle school and high school students to collaboratively solve real-world engineering issues by applying their STEM knowledge in practical and creative ways. Original academic and innovative concepts are developed for the TEAMS competition based on the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or other engineering challenges. Undertaking these challenges requires critical job-readiness skills such as collaboration, analytical thinking, and multi-dimensional problem solving.

Owned and administered by TSA, TEAMS is a separate program from TSA. Many TSA members compete in both the TSA and TEAMS competition programs, however membership in TSA is not required for TEAMS competition. A separate registration is needed for TEAMS, and schools with an active TSA chapter receive a 30% discount on the TEAMS registration fee of $150/team.

• Design/Build – Teams design and build a solution to an engineering challenge.

• Multiple Choice – Teams use math and science skills to solve real-world engineering challenges.

• Essay – Teams research and write an in-depth essay that is submitted electronically prior to their competition day.

Design/Build Multiple Choice Essay

The national TEAMS competition takes place annually during the national TSA conference. The 2025 TEAMS competition theme is “Engineering for Extreme Weather.”

TSA advisors may register for TEAMS while completing their TSA affiliation (the 30% discount is automatically applied) or by registering on the TEAMS website and using the code TSA2025 to receive the discount.

Questions? Visit the TEAMS website for more information or email Amber Williams

National TSA Conference Dress Code

The TSA Dress Code notes attire requirements for national TSA conference competitors.

COMPETITION ATTIRE

Shirt: official royal blue TSA shirt

Pants, or at least knee-length Skirt: gray

• Unacceptable: jeans; jeggings; leggings; baggy pants; exterior pocket pants; shorts

Shoes: black dress shoes worn with black or dark blue socks, hosiery (optional):

• open-toed shoes or sandals are acceptable

• Unacceptable: athletic shoes; flip-flops; military boots; or work boots

Required additional attire for Middle and High School Chapter Team event

Blazer: navy blue with official TSA patch

Tie: official TSA tie (males)

• Females are not penalized for wearing the official TSA tie to Chapter Team or any other competitive event

Above attire may be worn for other competitions if preferred by event participants.

GENERAL SESSION ATTIRE

Shirt: the official TSA shirt (royal blue) is preferred; button-down shirt or a polo/golf shirt

• Unacceptable: t-shirts; halter tops; tank tops

Pants, or at least knee-length Dress or Skirt

• Unacceptable: jeans; jeggings; leggings; baggy pants; exterior pocket pants; shorts

Optional Blazer: navy blue with official TSA patch

Optional Tie: official TSA tie

Shoes: dress shoes worn with dark socks, hosiery (optional):

• open-toed shoes or sandals are acceptable

• Unacceptable: athletic shoes; flip-flops; military boots; or work boots

CASUAL ATTIRE

Appropriate t-shirts, shorts, or jeans.

Casual attire may not be worn at competitions or general sessions.

Important Dates

2024

August 15

2024-2025 Chapter Affiliation Opens

September 3

2025 TEAMS Registration Opens

September 14

National TSA’s 46th Anniversary

October 7-11

National TSA Week

November 8

National STEM Day

December 4-7

ACTE’s Career Tech VISION

December 6-12

Computer Science Education Week

December 10

Priority Membership due to National TSA

2025

January 15 – February 17

State Level TEAMS Competitions

February 1 – 28

Career and Technical Education Month

February 3 – 7

Advisor Appreciation Week

April 2-5

2025 ITEEA Conference

April 24-30

National Student Leadership Week

June 27 – July 1

2025 National TSA Conference

State Conferences/Delegations

Chapter members are part of both their state TSA delegation and national TSA. In addition to the opportunities and resources offered through national TSA, many state delegations offer a leadership conference in the fall, a competition conference in the spring, and other activities during the year. Chapter members are encouraged to talk with their chapter advisor to learn more about involvement in conference opportunities at the regional, state, and national level.

ALABAMA

ALASKA

ARIZONA

ARKANSAS

CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

DELAWARE

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

IDAHO

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

IOWA

KANSAS

KENTUCKY

LOUISIANA

MAINE

MARYLAND

MASSACHUSETTS

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

MISSISSIPPI

MISSOURI

MONTANA

NEBRASKA

NEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH DAKOTA

OHIO

OKLAHOMA

OREGON

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

TENNESSEE

TEXAS

UTAH

VERMONT

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON

WEST VIRGINIA

WYOMING

2025 National TSA Conference

JUNE 27 – JULY 1, 2025

GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER • NASHVILLE, TN

“Tune into Technology”

The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center offers guests all the excitement and energy of Music City in one convenient location. Located on the banks of the Cumberland River, the resort features an extraordinary selection of dining, shopping, and recreational activities. The world-famous Grand Ole Opry is located next to the hotel, and other attractions including Gaylord Springs® Golf Links golf course, the General Jackson Showboat, and the Wildhorse Saloon are located within minutes of the property.

A world-class, four-diamond hotel, the Gaylord Opryland welcomes back the Technology Student Association for the 2025 National TSA Conference. The Gaylord Opryland features climate-controlled glass atriums with nine acres of lush indoor gardens, multiple restaurants, a full-service luxury spa and salon, and more. The resort is just minutes away from the Nashville International Airport.

The 2025 National TSA Conference will begin Friday, June 27th with conference registration and will close with the exciting awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 1st. In between, TSA members can take advantage of leadership opportunities, participation in competitive events, networking with fellow TSA members, and building memories that will last a lifetime.