The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2009-2010

The following information provides only a basic description of each event. Please consult the 2009 & 2010 High School Technology Activities, National TSA Conference Competitive Events Guide for detailed specifications and rules regarding each event.

To view the video descriptions of the competitive events, you may need to download the free Windows Media Player software by clicking on the link below (most users will already have Windows Media Player installed if using Microsoft Windows). Please follow the prompts on the Windows Media Player site to install and run the free software. Please be patient, it may take a few minutes to play each video. Also, the videos are best viewed when most other applications on your computer are closed.

Agriculture and Biotechnology Design Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (three teams of two or more members per state, one entry per team) conduct research on a contemporary agriculture or biotechnology problem of their choosing, document their research, and create a display. The information gathered may be student-performed research or a re-creation or simulation of research performed by the scientific community. If appropriate, a model or prototype of the solution may be included in the display.

Animatronics Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team per chapter; one entry per team) will demonstrate knowledge of mechanical and control systems by designing, fabricating, and controlling an animatronics device that will communicate, entertain, inform, demonstrate and/or illustrate a topic, idea, subject or concept. Sound, lights and a surrounding environment must accompany the device.

Architectural Model Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one individual or team per chapter, one entry per individual or team) develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual architectural design challenge and construct an architectural model to accurately depict the design.

Career Comparisons Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one individual per chapter) thoroughly research various technology-related careers that are associated with one of the following technology areas: Biotechnology, Communications, Energy and Power, Engineering, Manufacturing, Medical Technology, Technology Education Teaching, Transportation, or Construction. After documenting the research, each student submits a cover letter and resume for the selected career and completes a formal job application. Semifinalists participate in an on-site mock interview.

Chapter Team (Written and Oral) Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of six members per chapter) take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to proceed to the semifinals. Semifinalist teams perform an opening ceremony, dispose of three items of business, and perform a closing ceremony within a specified time period.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Architecture with Animation Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (two individuals per state) create representations, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry. Students may be expected to animate a presentation of their entry.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Engineering with Animation Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (two individuals per state) create 3D computer model(s) of an engineering or machine object, such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product. Students may be expected to animate a portion of their model.

Construction Systems Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of two members per chapter) complete a written test on general construction systems knowledge. Seminfinalist teams demonstrate their knowledge by solving a construction systems problem that is announced on site.

Cyberspace Pursuit Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of three to five members per chapter) are required to design, create and launch a web site that features the school's technology education program, the TSA chapter, and the chapter's ability to research topics pertaining to technology. Pre-conference semifinalists participate in an on-site oral examination/interview.

Click to access the High School Cyberspace Pursuit design brief.

Debating Technological Issues Participants (three teams of two members per state) debate against a team/s from another chapter in order to advance to the semifinals. The teams are instructed on site to take either the pro or con side of a topic that is designated anually.

Desktop Publishing Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one individual per state; one entry per individual) develop a notebook that includes a tri-fold pamphlet, a three-column newsletter, and a poster. All participants (not just semifinalists) then work to solve an on-site problem that demonstrates their abilities to use the computer to design, edit, and print materials for publication.

Dragster Design Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (two individuals per chapter; one entry per individual) design, produce working drawings for, and build a CO2-powered dragster.

Electronic Game Design Participants (three teams per state; a minimum of two individuals per team) develop an E-rated game that focuses on the subject of their choice.

Electronic Research and Experimentation Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of two or more individuals per chapter; one entry per team) research, plan, design, and construct an electronic device. Entries are evaluated on quality of research, ingenuity and complexity of the device, and effectiveness of the exhibit display.

Engineering Design Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of three to five members per chapter, one entry per team) work as part of a team to solve a design problem. Through use of a model/prototype, display and design notebook, the team explains in detail how it has solved the problem and the solution's impact on society and the environment. Semifinalists demonstrate the problem and solution in a timed presentation.

Essays on Technology Participants (three individuals per state) conduct research in an announced technological area and, using the knowledge and personal insights gained form this research, write a persuasive essay on one subtopic selected from two or three related subtopics assigned on site.

Extemporaneous Presentation Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (three individuals per state) give a three to five minute speech, fifteen minutes after having drawn a card on which a technology or TSA topic for a speech is written.

Fashion Design Participants (one team of two to four members per chapter) research, develop, and create garment designs, garment mock-ups, and portfolios that reflect the current year's published theme. Semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they present their potential garment designs to judges on a TSA runway.

Film Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (three teams per state) develop a film that focuses on a subject of their choice from one or more of the following areas: the arts, social studies, science, or technology. Possible subjects include but are not limited to social study documentaries, nature films, advertisements, comedies, or dramas. Sound may accompany the film/video.

Flight Endurance Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (two individuals per chapter; one entry per individual) analyze flight principles with a rubber band-powered model aircraft.

Future Technology Teacher Participants (three individuals per chapter) research and select three accredited colleges or universities that offer technology education/engineering technology teacher preparation as a major. Each participant must write a one page simulated college essay about the wish to become a teacher in either major. Participants also develop and present a lesson plan.

Imaging Technology Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one individual per chapter; one entry per individual) capture images and process photographic prints for display that depict the current year's published theme. Semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they record digital images and utilize multimedia software to prepare a storyboard/outline and media presentation of newsworthy TSA conference activities and events.

Manufacturing Prototype Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team per chapter) design and manufacture a prototype of a product and provide a description of how the product could be manufactured in a state-of-the-art American manufacturing facility.

Medical Technology Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (three teams per state; two or more participants per team) conduct research on a contemporary medical technology problem of their choosing, document their research, and create a display. The information gathered may be student-performed research or a re-creation or simulation of research performed by the scientific community. A model or prototype of the solution must be included in the display.

Music Production Participants (three teams per state) produce a musical piece that is designed to be played during the national TSA conference opening or closing general sessions.

On Demand Video Participants (one team of two or more students per chapter; one entry per team) write, shoot, and edit a sixty second video during the conference in this on-site event.

Prepared Presentation Click here to view a video description of this event
Participants (three individuals per state) deliver an oral presentation that includes audio and/or visual enhancement based on the theme for the current year's conference.

Promotional Graphics Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (two individuals per chapter; one entry each) develop and present a graphic design that can be used as a TSA recruitment tool and that includes the theme for the next year's conference.

Radio Controlled Transportation Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of two members per chapter; one entry per team) design, fabricate, test, and demonstrate the use of a radio-controlled vehicle that collects and distributes a load during a five minute demonstration. Evaluation is based on performance, vehicle craftsmanship, and documentation of design efforts.

Scientific and Technical Visualization (SCIVIZ) Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (three teams per state) develop a visualization focusing on a subject or topic from one or more of the following areas: technology, engineering, science, mathematics, or social studies.

Structural Engineering Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of two members per chapter; one entry per team) work as part of a team, on site with supplied materials, to build a model of a structure that is destructively tested to determine design efficiency.

System Control Technology Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of three members per state; one entry per team) work as part of a team on site to develop a computer-controlled model-solution to a problem, typically one from an industrial setting. Teams analyze the problem, build a computer-controlled mechanical model, program the model, explain the program and mechanical features of the model-solution, and leave instructions for evaluators to operate the device.

Technical Sketching and Application Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (two individuals per chapter) complete a written test in order to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalists must demonstrate their ability to solve an on-site engineering graphics problem using standard drafting techniques.

Technology Bowl (Written and Oral) Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of three members per chapter) complete a written, objective test in order to qualify for oral question/response, head-to-head team competition.

Technology Dare Participants (one team of two members per chapter) design, fabricate, and demonstrate the application and control of mechanical, fluid, and electrical power by applying power and energy principles to move balls with a pneumatic flow. Evaluation is based on a demonstration of the application of mechanical, fluid, and electrical energy principles, and craftsmanship.

Technology Problem Solving Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one team of two members per chapter) use problem solving skills and limited materials to develop a solution to a problem given on site.

Transportation Modeling Click here for a video description of this event
Participants (one individual per chapter; one entry per individual), using only certain materials and following required specifications, design and produce a CO2-powered scale model of a vehicle that fits the annual design problem and that takes appearance and performance into consideration.