Technology Student Association

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national student organization created to develop skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well as business education. TSA aims to develop leadership, academic, and business management skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community. The organization has 250,000 members.[2] The 2019 national conference was held on June 28 - July 2 at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, MD.[3] The 2020 national conference was scheduled to be held from June 27 - July 1 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN,[4] but the conference was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.[5]

Technology Student Association
AbbreviationTSA
Motto"Learning to lead in a technical world."[1]
PredecessorAmerican Industrial Arts Student Association (AIASA)
Formation1978 (1978)
TypeYouth organization, Career and technical student organization
Legal statusNon-profit organization
HeadquartersReston, Virginia
Region served
United States
Germany
Turkey
Japan
Membership
250,000 students
2,300 chapters
WebsiteTSAweb.org

Competition

Competitive events are separated into middle school and high school levels, with students competing only with their respective age group. Competitions take place at the local, state, regional and national level. A component of leadership is often entailed in events at both levels, with some events being devoted to leadership (such as the Leadership Challenge).

All TSA competitions are correlated with national science, technology, engineering and mathematics and business standards. Expert judging by technology educators and industry representatives inspires the best from participants. Sample middle school events include Biotechnology Issues, Career Prep, Video Game Design, and Inventions and Innovations. High school events include Animatronics, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Dragster Design, Promotional Design, System Control Technology, Flight Endurance, Software Development, and Webmaster.[6] Scores are out of 100 points and based upon a nationally developed rubric. Winners are chosen based on these scores. In many events, semi-finalists (top 12) move onto a second round of competition which usually involves an interview with the judges about the project. First, second, and third-place winners are awarded a trophy, and finalists (top 10) are recognized at the national level.[7]

Program initiatives

The Technology Student Association has partnered with many groups to promote other skills. Junior Solar Sprint is a national program allows students to design solar-powered cars. Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) is an annual one-day competition where students use their skills to solve issues facing our global society.[8] TSA has partnered with the VEX Robotics Competition to allow students to design and create robots to complete specific tasks.[9] UNITE is a summer program funded by the U.S. Army Research Office that encourages high school students to pursue engineering careers.[10] Every TSA middle school and high school member is required to submit LEAP (Leadership. Education. Achievement. Personal Growth.) documentation as part of every competition in which they compete. LEAP documentation tracks the leadership activities and experiences a TSA member has completed as part of each competition.[11]

History

TSA became an independent organization in 1978, when AIASA Inc. was formed to oversee the activities of the American Industrial Arts Student Association. Between the foundation of AIASA as an independent organization (it had formerly been a part of the American Industrial Arts Association) and 1988, the association grew and began to take shape.[13]

In 1988, the AIASA changed its name to the Technology Student Association as part of a shift in focus from industrial arts to mainstream technology. This action followed a similar name change by the Texas state delegation the previous year. In 1989, the official logo, submitted by a chapter advisor, was adopted. In 1990, the logo received a trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.[13]

Today, the association has grown to include more than 250,000 members in more than 2,300 secondary schools across 48 states.[14] It has established an Honor Society, manages numerous competitive events and has partnerships with several organizations. Since TSA was chartered in 1978, more than five million students have participated as members.[14]

As part of its national service project, TSA has a partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS). TSA members raise money to help fund research, education, advocacy and patient services provided by the ACS, and the ACS presents Spirit of Service awards to chapters that participated in fundraising.[15]

Student leadership

Every year at the Technology Student Association National conference, the students elect a National Officer team.[16]

Notable alumni

References
  1. Due to an amendment to Section 1 of Article XII of the National TSA Bylaws adopted at the annual business meeting on July 1, 2016, the motto will be "Learning to lead in a technical world," effective August 30, 2016.
  2. "National TSA Conference: Defining Your Future" (PDF). Technology Student Association. 2017-06-21. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
  3. "National Conference". Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  4. "National Conference". Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  5. "Recent National TSA Conferences". tsaweb.org. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  6. "Our Story". TSAweb.org. Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  7. "Competitions". TSAweb.org. Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  8. "TEAMS". Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  9. "VEX Robotics Competition". Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  10. "UNITE Program". Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  11. "UNITE Program". Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
  12. "Mission Statement, TSA Motto and Creed". Technology Student Association. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  13. "History". TSAweb.org. Technology Student Association. 1995-04-24. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  14. "Facts". tsaweb.org. Archived from the original on 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  15. "National Service Project". tsaweb.org. Archived from the original on 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  16. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article217625145.html
  17. "Chad Hurley". London Speaker Bureau. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  18. Matthew, Joshua (2014-03-12). "I'm America's STEM Future, But I Also Need America's Help For That Future". Real Clear Education. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  19. "Notable Alumni". Stone Bridge TSA. 2016. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
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