Middle School
Competitive Events Overview
GEORGIA
2010-2011
“Learning To Live In A Technical World!”
Agriculture & Biotechnology Design
One team per chapter / Three per state
Participants conduct research on a
contemporary agriculture or
biotechnology problem of their
choosing, document their research,
and create a display. The steps used
in the solution of the problem may be
student-performed research or a recreation or simulation of research
performed by the scientific
community. If appropriate, a model or
prototype of the solution may be
included in the display.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Agriculture & Biotechnology Design
One team per chapter
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Career Prep
One individual per chapter
During the school year participants conduct
research on a selected technology-related
career and use the knowledge gained to
prepare a resume and cover letter, complete a
job application, and participate in a mock
interview.
In 2012, students choose one (1) of these careers:
• Mechanical engineer • Architect
•Telecommunications specialist • Construction
manager • Cardiologist
In 2013, students choose one (1) of these careers:
• Industrial designer • LAN technician • Biomedical
engineer • Traffic engineer • Photographer
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Career Prep
One individual per chapter
In 2012, students choose one (1) of these
careers:
• Mechanical engineer
• Architect
• Telecommunications specialist
• Construction manager
• Cardiologist
In 2013, students choose one (1) of these
careers:
• Industrial designer
• LAN technician
• Biomedical engineer
• Traffic engineer
• Photographer
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Challenging Technology Issues
One team of two per chapter
Participating teams of two
members prepare and deliver
an extemporaneous debate
style presentation, with team
members explaining opposing
views of a current technology
issue that has been selected
on site from a choice of three
options.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Chapter Team
One team of six per chapter
Participants take a written
parliamentary procedures test in order
to proceed to the semifinals, where
they:
•perform an opening ceremony
•dispose of three (3) items of business
•and perform a closing ceremony
within a specified time period.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Communication Challenge
One individual per chapter, one entry per individual
Participants design and produce
1) a trifold brochure that promotes the
chapter
2) an effective sponsor support request
on chapter letterhead, and
3) an 8½" x 11" glossy, two-sided
postcard promoting TSA’s current
national service project. Semifinalists
are asked to work creatively under
constraints in designing a solution to
a problem given on site.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
COMMUNITY SERVICE VIDEO
One entry per chapter – Individual or group
Create and submit a finished video,
capable of being played on a stand-alone
DVD player that depicts your local TSA
chapter’s service with the American
Cancer Society, national TSA’s service
partner.
GET PERMISSION for use of Copyrighted
music!
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Construction Challenge
One team per chapter
Participants submit a display that
documents the use of their
leadership and technical skills to
fulfill a community need related to
construction. Semifinalists discuss
their projects in a presentation and
an interview.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Digital Photography
One individual per chapter
Participants (three individuals per state)
produce and submit an album of digital
photographs consisting of color or black
and white digital photographs that
present a theme in journalistic style.
Semifinalists produce three digital
photographs taken at the conference site
that have been edited appropriately for
the on-site task.
The theme for 2012 is The Art and Science of
Technology.
The theme for 2013 is TSA, Organized Chaos.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Dragster
Two individuals per chapter
Students design and construct a CO2
powered dragster to meet specific
regulations. Overall score includes
wind tunnel test score, appearance,
meeting specifications, drawing and
speed points.
Specified specification changes each
year!
Check the current Competitive Events Guide for
the current year’s car requirements
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Dragster Design
For past winning cars go to Pitsco.com –
http://www.science-of-speed.com/showroomlist.asp
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Electrical Applications
Two per chapter
Participants take a written test of
basic electrical and electronic theory
to qualify as semifinalists.
Semifinalists assemble a specific
circuit from a schematic diagram
using a provided kit and make
required electrical measurements.
Semifinalists explain their solution
during an interview.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Environmental Focus
One team per chapter, one entry per team
Participants identify and research a
specific environmental problem or
issue that has been influenced by
advancements in technology. Students
present their findings in the form of a
multimedia presentation.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Essays on Technology
One entry per chapter
Participants conduct research in specified
subtopics of a broader technological area
and, using the knowledge and resources
gained through that research, write a
comprehensive essay on the one (1) subtopic
that is designated on site.
The topic for the 2012 conference is
The Impacts of Ever-Changing Technology on
Schools, with these subtopics:
Budgets; Computers; World Wide Web; Classroom
technology
The topic for the 2013 conference is
The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology on
Today’s Youth, with these subtopics:
Education; Social development; Ethics
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Flight
Two individuals per chapter, one entry each
Participants study the principles of
flight and design in order to fabricate
(using materials provided) and testfly gliders. Gliders must be designed
to be launched from a catapult that is
provided on site. Flight duration of
the gliders and documentation of the
design process are the primary
elements of the evaluation.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Global Manufacturing
One team of no more than 6 students formed by 3 chapters
A TSA chapter, working with two (2) or
three (3) other TSA chapters, designs,
manufactures and packages a product.
Two (2) completed products will be
included in the display for this event.
Team members must come from TSA
middle school chapters. High school TSA
chapter members cannot be included in
this event.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Go Green Manufacturing
One team of at least 3 per chapter, one entry per team
Participants design and manufacture a
product using recycled material that has been
donated from business or industry. The
chapter submits documentation of chapter
activities and two product samples made
during the manufacturing experience.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Inventions & Innovations
One team at least three individual members
Participants per chapter, one entry per team]
investigate and determine the need for the
invention or innovation of a device, system or
process. Team members will: 1) create a
prototype or model, 2) develop a stand-alone
multimedia presentation and 3) document work
completed as they prepare to promote and
demonstrate their idea for the invention or
innovation. Semifinalists make an oral
presentation to a panel of judges who will act
as a group of venture capitalists interested in
providing funding for the development of the
idea.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Leadership Strategies
One team of three individual members per chapter
Participants work in teams to develop
a plan of action that addresses a
specific challenging situation provided
on site. Under time constraints,
semifinalists develop a plan for a
second situation and then make a
team presentation.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Medical Technology Issues
One team of two or more per chapter, one entry per team
Participants conduct research on a
contemporary medical technology issue of
their choosing, document their research,
and create a display.
The information gathered may include
student-performed research or a recreation or simulation of research
performed by the scientific community.
If appropriate, a model or prototype
depicting some aspect of the issue may be
included in the display.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Multimedia Production
One individual per chapter, one entry per individual
Participants (one individual per
chapter, one entry per
individual) create and design a
stand-alone multimedia
presentation to promote the
National TSA theme for the
current year.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Prepared Speech
One entry per chapter
Participants develop and deliver an oral
presentation that reflects the theme of
the current year’s national conference.
The theme for the 2012 conference is
“The Road to Success”.
The theme for the 2013 conference is A
“Tradition of Excellence”.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Problem Solving
One team of two per chapter
Participants use problem solving
skills and limited materials to
develop a solution to a problem
given on site and are required to
work as a team to provide the best
solution, which is measured
objectively.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Promotional Design
Two individuals per chapter
A long-standing tradition at the
National TSA conference is
trading state lapel pins at the
mixer.
In this competition, participants
will design a color lapel pin that
can be used to promote their
state TSA association at the
next national TSA conference
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Structural Engineering
One team of two per chapter
Participants work as part of a team
on site with supplied materials to
build a model of a structure in 2-1/2
hours, that is destructively tested
to determine design efficiency.
A beam, is the designated
structure for 2012 and 2013.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
System Control Technology
One team of three per chapter
Participants 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.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Tech Bowl
One team of three per chapter
A written test is given to determine
top ten teams. Head-to-head
elimination tournament competition
determines the winner.
Awards also given to the top
individual test scores….(not
money)
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Technical Design
Two individuals per chapter
Participants demonstrate their
ability to use the technical design
process to solve an engineering
design problem.
Participants will be given a design
brief on site that includes a problem
statement and specific criteria and
constraints utilizing the technical
design process to solve the problem
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Techno Talk
Two teams of two individuals per state
Students who have been randomly paired
[one (1) team of two (2) students from one school
with a team of two (2) students from another
school, in order to form one (1) team of four (4)
members at the conference]
must demonstrate creativity and
communication skills by building a
structure and then replicating it through
the use of a short message service
(SMS)/text messaging device.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Transportation Systems
Two individuals per chapter, one entry per individual
Participants apply and document
the engineering design process,
mathematical principals and
scientific concepts used in the
research, design, construction,
testing and evaluation of a rubber
band-powered boat. Performance
ratings of the boat will be based on
a combination of speed and
payload capability measurements.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Video Game Design
One team of at least two individuals per chapter
Participants develop an E-rated game
that focuses on the subject of their
choice.
The game should be interesting,
exciting, visually appealing and
intellectually challenging.
A working, interactive game will be
submitted on a DVD for evaluation.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Website Design
One team of three to five per chapter
Students are required to design, build and
launch a World Wide Web site that features the
team’s research about a cutting edge science,
technology, engineering or mathematicsrelated topic. Pre-conference semifinalists
participate in an on-site interview to
demonstrate the knowledge and expertise
gained during the development of the website
The annual theme and problem is found on the National
TSA Website: www.tsaweb.org
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Outstanding Chapter
Overall State Championship
Chapters receive points for placing
1st through 10th in individual and
team events. 1st place receives
10pts, 2nd receives 9pts and so
forth, through 10th who receives 1pt.
All accumulated points are tallied
after all events are done and the top
10 chapters are recognized with
plaques for 10th through 4th place
and the top three chapters receive
trophies.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
Outstanding Student
One individual per chapter
This is a Georgia-only event.
Chapters may nominate one
individual member by completing
the required forms. Finalists are
interviewed on-site during the State
Conference.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013
In All of the events you enter…
•Read ALL of the rules
•Be the expert of the event.
•If you are stuck and have questions…ask.
(Trust me, advisors aren’t as dumb as they look!)
•Sweat the details
•Double check all regulations
•Get someone else to check your work.
•WORK ONE MORE HOUR THAN YOUR
COMPETITORS DO!
•Good Luck.
National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 2012-2013