Events at a glance document (list of all Events)

This is a big list of 47 events. Pay attention to the top of the document where you will see the high school events. The bottom half of the document is the Middle School events.

National Event Summaries:

Themes and Problems (If your event has this link, please look to see what specific theme or problem) 

9. Animatronics Participants 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.

10. Architectural Design Participants develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual architectural design challenge and construct a physical, as well as a computer-generated model, to accurately depict their design. 

11. Audio Podcasting Participants use digital audio technology to create original content around a pre-determined technology theme. Podcasting encourages good storytelling, voice acting, and folly sound effects to create a coherent creative work.

12. Biotechnology Design Participants select a contemporary biotechnology problem that reflects the theme for the year, which can be found on Themes and Problems. Participants demonstrate understanding of the topic through documented research, the development of a solution, a display (including an optional model or prototype), and an effective multimedia presentation.

13. Board Game Design Participants develop, build, and package a board game that focuses on the subject of their choice. The game should be interesting, exciting, visually appealing, and intellectually challenging. Each team will have to design the packaging, instructions, pieces, and cards associated with creating and piloting a new board game. Semifinalists for the event will set up the game, demonstrate how the game is played, and explain the game’s features.

14. CAD Architecture Participants use complex computer graphic skills, tools, and processes to develop representations of architectural subjects, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry.

15. CAD Engineering Participants use complex computer graphic skills, tools, and processes to develop three-dimensional representations of engineering subjects such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product.

16. Chapter Team Participants take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to qualify for the semifinals, in which they complete an opening ceremony, items of business, parliamentary actions, and a closing ceremony within a specified time period.

17. Children’s Stories Participants create an illustrated children's story of high artistic, instructional, and social value. The narrative may be written in prose or poetry and take the form of a fable, adventure story, or other structure. The physical story book should be of high quality and designed to reflect the theme for the year, which can be found on Themes and Problems. The story must have a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focus.

18. Coding Participants respond to an annual coding-related design challenge by developing a software program that will accurately address an onsite problem in a specified, limited amount of time.

19. Data Science and Analytics Participants collect data, conduct an analysis of the data, and make predictions about the outcomes. Participants document their research and summarize their findings in a digital scientific poster. Semifinalists participate in a twenty-four hour semifinal challenge visually representing a data set provided as an on-site challenge.

20. Debating Technological Issues Participants work together to prepare for a debate against a team from another chapter. The teams will be instructed to take either the pro or con side of a selected subtopic.

21. Digital Video Production Participants develop a digital video (with sound) that reflects the theme for the year, which can be found on Themes and Problems.

22. Dragster Design Participants design, produce a working drawing for, and build a CO2-powered dragster.

23. Drone Challenge (UAV) Participants design, build, assemble, document and test fly an open-source Unmanned Arial Vehicle according to stated specifications and to meet the challenge of the yearly theme/problem.

24. Engineering Design Participants develop a solution to a National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge that is posted on the national TSA website. The solution offered will be informed and designed by precise problem definition—thorough research, creativity, experimentation (when possible)—and the development of documents and appropriate models (mathematical, graphical, and/or physical prototype/model). Semifinalist teams present and defend their proposed solution to a panel of judges.

25. Essays on Technology Participants write a research-based essay (using two or more sources provided onsite) that makes insightful connections about a current technological topic.

26. Extemporaneous Speech Participants verbally communicate their knowledge of technology or TSA subjects by giving a speech after drawing a card on which a technology or TSA topic is written.

27. Fashion Design and Technology Participants research, design, and create a portfolio and wearable prototype that reflect the theme for the year, which can be found on Themes and Problems. Semifinalist teams participate in a presentation/interview in which they present their garment designs to judges.

28. Flight Endurance Participants analyze flight principles with a rubber band-powered model aircraft.

29. Forensic Science Participants take a written test of basic forensic science theory to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalist teams will examine a mock crime scene and demonstrate their knowledge of forensic science and crime scene analysis. Students will be expected to survey the scene and use proper techniques to collect evidence from the mock crime scene. Students then will collect their data and perform a detailed written analysis of the crime scene.

30. Future Technology Teacher Participants investigate technology education preparation programs in higher education and test their potential as a future technology educator. 

31. Geospatial Technology Participants interpret geospatial data in multiple formats and formulate projections about the area of interest based on an annual theme posted on the TSA website under Themes & Problems. Participants develop a digital portfolio containing maps, data, and pertinent documentation, which is submitted pre-conference. Preliminary round participants summarize their findings in a visual infographic map to be submitted on-site. Semifinalists defend their projections in a presentation.

32. Manufacturing Prototype Participants design, fabricate, and use Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) to create a product that addresses the annual theme found on the TSA website under Themes & Problems. The product may use additive and/or subtractive manufacturing of any traditional, Computer Numerical Control (CNC), 3D printing, or laser technology available. A documentation portfolio and one (1) completed prototype are checked in and evaluated.

33. Music Production Participants produce an original musical piece that is designed to be played during the National TSA Conference opening or closing general sessions.

34. On Demand Video Participants write, shoot, and edit a 60–second video onsite during the conference.

35. Photographic Technology Participants demonstrate understanding of and expertise in using photographic and imaging technology processes to convey a message based on a theme. Semifinalists record images and then utilize graphic editing software to prepare a single final image as a solution to an onsite prompt.

36. Prepared Presentation Participants deliver an oral presentation, using a digital slide deck, on a topic provided onsite.

37. Promotional Design Participants use computerized graphic communications layout and design skills in the production of a promotional resource for TSA.

38. Senior Solar Sprint Senior Solar Sprint (SSS), an Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), provides a hands-on opportunity for students in grades 9-12 to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts, along with leadership and 21st century skills such as creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, as they design, construct, and race a solar-powered car.

39. Software Development Participants use knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, algorithm design, problem-solving principles, effective communication, and collaborative teamwork to design, implement, test, and document a software development project of educational or social value.

40. Structural Design and Engineering Participants work as a team to build a designated structure that is posted on the TSA website. Teams apply the principles of structural design and engineering through research, design, construction, destructive testing, and assessment to determine the design efficiency of the structure.

41. System Control Technology Participants work onsite 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 write instructions for evaluators to operate the device.

42. Technology Bowl Participants demonstrate their knowledge of TSA and concepts addressed in the technology content standards by completing a written, objective test. Semifinalist teams participate in question/response, head-to-head team competition.

43. Technology Problem Solving Participants use their skills in problem solving to develop a finite solution to a problem provided onsite.

44. Transportation Modeling Participants research, design, and produce a scale model of a vehicle that fits the annual design problem.

45. Video Game Design Participants develop a game that reflects the theme for the year, which can be found on Themes and Problems. The game must have high artistic, educational, and social value and be interesting, exciting, visually appealing, and intellectually challenging. 

46. Virtual Reality Visualization Participants use video and 3D computer graphics tools and design processes to communicate, inform, analyze, and/or illustrate a given topic, idea, subject, or concept based on the theme posted on the TSA website under Themes & Problems.

47. Webmaster Participants design, build, and launch a website that features the school’s career and technology/engineering program, TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research and present a given topic pertaining to technology. Semifinalists participate in an onsite interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website—with an emphasis on web design methods and practices, as well as their research for the annual design topic. 

Check out these videos to get a "look" at what TSA is...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYQTqmMU1Kw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPaNUiWEIts