REASONS TO JOIN TSA
- STEM competitions
- Career and technical skills development
- Leadership opportunities
- Local, regional, state, and national conferences
- Achievement Program
- Networking with members and industry professionals
- Scholarships and awards
- FUN!
COMPETITIONS
I am interested in competitions for...
High School
Middle School
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
![Six elected students to serve as the 2024-2025 National TSA Officer team.](https://tsaweb.org/images/default-source/website-images/leadership-officerteam.jpg?sfvrsn=4710d430_3)
LEADERSHIP
RESOURCES
Affiliated TSA members have access to resources to help enrich their TSA experience. Some highlights include:
PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
- Awards and Scholarships
- Leadership Program
- National Service Project
- TSA Achievement Program, Pathways to Excellence
![Bkgd_Interior stock-photo-classmate-classroom-sharing-international-friend-concept-409247206](/images/default-source/default-album/bkgd_interior.png?sfvrsn=3f82e729_5)