Parent FAQ
TSA — the Technology Student Association — is a national career and technical student organization for middle and high school students in engineering and STEM programs. FBHS has an active chapter that competes at the Georgia state and national levels. Here are the questions we get most often from parents.
What does my student actually do in TSA?
TSA members pick one to three competitions each year and work on them through the fall and winter. Competitions range from hands-on builds (dragsters, animatronics, structural design) to design and media (architecture, video, photography, board games) to written and presentation events (engineering essays, prepared speeches, debate). Students prep during club meetings, during class when the lab is available, and after school. In the spring they compete at the Georgia State Leadership Conference in Athens, and top finishers can qualify for the national conference in the summer.
How much of a time commitment is this?
It scales to what your student wants to put in. A student doing one written or paper event might spend a few hours a month. A student doing a build event with a team might spend several hours a week in the last two months before the state conference. Chapter meetings are [frequency — e.g., twice a month], and conference travel happens on the dates listed on the Chapter Info page. There is no cut and no minimum time requirement to be a member.
What does it cost?
Chapter dues
• $20/year to Flowery Branch High School (write “TSA” in the memo)
• Covers chapter operations and includes state/national affiliation
Conference costs (2026-2027)
These are per-conference costs. Students only pay for the conferences they attend.
ConferenceDatesCost
CORE (Chapter Officer Retreat). Sept 18-20, 2026. $195
Tech Day. Oct 12, 2026. $45
Six Flags CTSO Day. Oct 17, 2026. $95
Fall Leadership Conference (FLC). Nov 12-15, 2026. $250
State Leadership Conference (SLC). March 17-20, 2027. $300
National TSA Conference. June 2027 (TBD)Varies
Other potential costs
• Materials for build events: some competitions require materials — many are supplied through the FBHS engineering lab, but some students choose to purchase additional materials
• Conference dress: SLC requires professional attire or the official TSA uniform blazer. Many chapters bulk-order blazers to reduce cost
• Meals and incidentals: many conference registrations include some meals; students bring spending money for meals not covered
Is financial help available?
Yes. The chapter fundraises to help offset conference and travel costs, and Georgia TSA and National TSA both offer scholarships (E.H. Culpepper Memorial for state winners, national conference travel scholarships, senior scholarships for students continuing to technical or four-year programs). Please contact the advisor if the cost is a barrier — we work with families and don't want any student to miss out because of it.
How do trips work?
Conference travel is chaperoned by the chapter advisor and additional adult chaperones as required by Georgia TSA and Hall County policy. Georgia TSA requires both male and female chaperones for mixed-gender delegations. Students travel together on chartered buses or school transportation, stay in conference hotels in shared rooms with same-gender roommates, and follow the conference schedule and chapter rules. Standard Hall County field trip forms and behavior expectations apply.
Do I have to send my student on trips?
No. A student can be a full chapter member and never travel. Some events are submission-based and don't require attending a conference. That said, the trips are one of the best parts of TSA — many students say the state conference is the highlight of their year.
Is TSA a class or an after-school activity?
It's a co-curricular organization — both, depending on the student. TSA is designed to be integrated with the engineering pathway courses your student is already taking (Foundations, Concepts, Applications, RDPM), and much of the event work can happen during class time when the engineering lab is available. Additional prep, meetings, and travel happen outside of school hours.
What are the academic and college benefits?
• Placements at state and national competitions are strong resume material for college applications
• Leadership roles (chapter officer, state officer) demonstrate real responsibility
• Chapter service projects contribute to volunteer hours and ePortfolio requirements
• Georgia TSA scholarships, national conference travel scholarships, and senior scholarships are available
• TSA competitions align with STEL (Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy), reinforcing what's taught in the engineering pathway
Who is the chapter advisor?
Mr. Tison and Mr. Frederick
harmon.tison@hallco.org or kyle.frederick@hallco.org
How can I help?
Parents can support the chapter in several ways:
• Chaperone a conference or day trip
• Judge a competition (industry professionals are especially welcome)
• Donate materials for build events (see the chapter wishlist — [link])
• Sponsor a student whose family can't cover full conference costs
• Attend the SLC awards session in Athens in March to cheer on the chapter
How does my student join?
Have them fill out the Membership Form and turn in dues to the advisor. That's it — they're a member.
Have a question that's not answered here? Email [advisor email] and I'll get back to you within a couple of school days.