The Technology Student Association is a non-profit national student organization. Involvement in TSA benefits teachers as well as students. Relating class activities to local, regional, state and national technology related competitive events in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) can be highly motivational for students. The natural interaction between teachers and students can provide an excellent learning environment, while working toward goals.

For most TSA advisors, TSA is not the only organization they are involved with. Many also coach, are class advisors, and work on other school activities. So why do they also advise a TSA chapter? Most would tell you that they do so because they feel TSA offers:

• leadership opportunities
• teamwork
• excellent competitions
• a sense of belonging to a group of deserving students.

Here is a sample of what many TSA advisors had to say about TSA in a recent survey:

"TSA gives the students an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a friendly, competitive atmosphere. TSA develops leadership and communication skills."

"TSA is student friendly. Kids like it. It appeals to a variety of students."

"TSA involves students who would otherwise receive little attention as an athlete, etc. The competitions also challenge students to think."

"TSA gives students an opportunity to perform at a level above what they thought they were capable of."

"TSA gives all kinds of kids positive goals to strive for and allows them to use technology in innovative ways. I am always amazed by how many of my TSA members go on to achieve incredible results in TSA, school, and life."

How Much Time Does It Take?

There is no question that being an advisor for a TSA chapter (or any other student activity) takes time and commitment. How much time is a function of several variables:

• Co-curricular or extra-curricular. TSA is designed so that it can be a part of a technology classroom, or can be an after school activity.
• Program of work. This is the basis of chapter activities for the year. The program of work is designed to accommodate the amount of time the advisor and members are willing to devote to the endeavor. Considerations for the program of work include: competitions, fundraising if needed, service project, and social events.
• Organization. Organizing your technology program around TSA can actually save time. TSA is designed to be student run through elected officers – this is often a great classroom management tool.