West Jefferson MS TSA

Learning to Lead in a Technical World.

TSA STATE CONFERENCE February 19-21, 2026

National TSA Website

Colorado TSA Website

MISSION

For more than three decades, Colorado TSA has been fulfilling our mission of preparing its members to foster personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in engineering and technology. Every day, our members apply and integrate these skills and concepts through curricular activities, competitions, and related programs.

Information:

2025-26 PART I: Acceptance Form 6th Grade

2025-26 PART I : Acceptance Form 7th Grade

2025-26 PART II and III: Application Packet

2025 TSA National Event Descriptions

West Jefferson Middle School TSA Teams Dominate in Statewide Competitions

West Jefferson Middle School’s Technology Student Association (TSA) and VEX Robotics teams are making waves in Colorado’s STEM education scene, consistently earning top honors at both the Jefferson County and Colorado State levels. Guided by expert instructors Jason Wooldridge and Brad Peel, computer science and engineering educators respectively, WJMS students have proven themselves as innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders in technology and engineering.

In February 2025, the WJMS TSA team competed against hundreds of students from across the state and brought home over 25 First, Second, and Third Place medals—a phenomenal achievement for a team of just 30 students. This outstanding performance included First Place Trophies in several prestigious categories:

Mass Production: Students developed "Water Walkerz," a practical product designed to help pet owners travel with their animals more easily, and compiled a comprehensive portfolio documenting the entire production process.

Microcontroller Design: Teams created a functional digital device, programming and building the hardware while detailing the development steps.

Structural Engineering: Students engineered a structure to meet specific design challenges, applying engineering principles and documenting the build.

System Control Technology: Teams tackled an industrial problem, constructing and programming a computer-controlled mechanical model to present their innovative solution.

Catapult Design and Silent Movie: WJMS students showcased a blend of technical know-how and creative storytelling.

In addition, the team placed 2nd in five categories and 3rd in four others, including a 3rd Place award in Junior Solar Sprint, where students designed, built, and raced a solar-powered model car, while detailing the entire engineering process.

WJMS students and their peers also competed in additional categories such as Biotechnology, Coding, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Cybersecurity, Dragster, Flight, Medical Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Off-The-Grid (sustainable design), Problem Solving, Video Game Design, and Website Design, among others. These fields are not only relevant, they are cutting-edge areas with real-world applications. As one student put it, “they all have teeth.”

The accomplishments don’t stop with TSA. WJMS’s VEX Robotics teams also continue to impress. In Jefferson County’s competitive VEX Robotics Tournaments, students designed and coded autonomous and remote-controlled robots to perform complex, pre-specified tasks. In February and March 2025, WJMS students earned 1st and 2nd place awards in the VEX IQ Skills division, once again proving their dominance in regional robotics.

These accomplishments are equally rewarding for their educators. Brad Peel stated that “for me, as a facilitator of learning, seeing the students empowered to engage with TSA, robotics, and the engineering curriculum, is the most compelling. In addition to developing technical skills, students are thinking critically by applying their skills in thinking with analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. The critical thinking, problem solving techniques, and technical skills the students develop are absolutely applicable, and will serve them in approaching almost any of the challenges they will face in their future. Oh, and the work is fun, too.”

From designing solar-powered cars to solving real-world engineering problems, West Jefferson Middle School’s TSA and VEX Robotics teams are redefining what it means to be a middle school STEM student. With strong mentorship, creativity, and grit, these students are preparing themselves for success in the careers of tomorrow.

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"What an incredible performance by the West Jefferson Middle School TSA team last week!

All of the TSA students worked so hard during the school year on their projects and prepped intensely for their 2024 TSA competition. So many of them achieved first, second, and third place wins in their categories. And of the 30 categories to compete in (I might have missed a few), the WJMS teams brought home (9) First Place trophies!!! Wow! And these categories had teeth – they included Medical Technology, Construction Challenge, Electrical Application, STEM Application, Mass Production, Problem Solving, System Control, and 3 more! Yes, I was so overwhelmed with pride.

What a valuable experience for these students! It is impressive that WJMS students have the opportunity to gain experience in the many fields of technology at such a young age. As a parent who works in information technology, my opinion is that the TSA program, computer science and pre-engineering programs are some of the most important areas of education for our students. The entire curriculum offered by WJMS is important, but the many fields of technology are only increasing in this day and age, and it’s where we’re seeing a lot of job growth, as we all know. It’s also important to keep our competitive edge at a national level.

The TSA’s emphasis on student leadership is also fantastic."-Parent

TSA Event Descriptions

Biotechnology

To address the annual theme, participants select a contemporary biotechnology issue and demonstrate understanding of the topic through their documented research and an original display. Semifinalists participate in an interview.

CAD (Computer Aided Design) Foundations

Participants demonstrate their understanding of CAD fundamentals by creating a two-dimensional (2D) graphic representation of an engineering part or object and answering questions from evaluators about their entry.

Career Prep

Based on the annual theme, participants conduct research on a technology-related career, prepare a letter of introduction to a potential employer, and develop a job-specific resume. Semifinalists participate in a mock job interview.

Catapult Design

Students design and build a working catapult that can propel a payload at a target. The catapult must be adjustable and can be made from any material. The catapult must pass a safety inspection by launching a projectile without parts flying off. Students must document the design process in a portfolio for evaluation.

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.

Chapter Team

Participants take a parliamentary procedure test to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists conduct an opening ceremony, items of business, parliamentary actions, and a closing ceremony.

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.

Coding

To qualify for the semifinal round of competition, participants take a test that concentrates on computer science and coding. Semifinalists demonstrate their programming knowledge by developing a solution to an onsite coding challenge.

Colorado Statesman

The Colorado TSA Statesman recognizes TSA members who excel in knowledge of the organization, its foundation and its history. Statesman exam is given at the annual State Conference.

Comic Book Design

Participants design and produce a comic book as well as a documentation portfolio containing thumbnails, pencil drawings, inks, color, and cover artwork.

Community Service Video

Participants create a video that depicts the local TSA chapter’s

involvement in a community service project. Semifinalists deliver a presentation on the project and participate in an interview.

Construction Challenge

Participants submit a scale model, display, and documentation portfolio for a design that fulfills a community need related to construction. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their entry and participate in an interview.

Cybersecurity Foundations

Participants take a test that assesses knowledge of cybersecurity vocabulary and the skills needed to execute common cybersecurity tasks. Using digital presentation software, semifinalists deliver a presentation that addresses the annual theme/problem.

Data Science and Analytics

Participants conduct research on the annual topic, collect data, use analytics to assess the data and make predictions, and document their work in a portfolio and a display. To address a challenge presented onsite at the conference, semifinalists review specific data sets, provide insights, make predictions, and present their findings for evaluation.

Digital Photography

Participants produce and submit a digital photographic portfolio that relates to the annual theme. Semifinalists participate in an onsite photographic challenge and a presentation/interview.

Dragster

Participants design, draw, and construct a CO2-powered dragster that adheres to the annual specifications, design and documentation requirements, and theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview and compete in a double-elimination race.

Electrical Applications

Participants take a test on basic electrical and electronic theory. In response to an onsite challenge, semifinalists assemble a specified circuit from a schematic diagram, make required electrical measurements, and explain their solution 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.

Flight

Participants submit a documentation portfolio and fabricate a glider designed to stay in flight for the greatest elapsed time. Semifinalists use their technical drawing skills to construct a glider that is flown onsite.

Forensic Technology

Participants take a test of basic forensic science theory to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists participate in an onsite forensic skills demonstration.

Inventions and Innovations

To address the annual theme, participants research a need - and brainstorm a solution - for an invention or innovation of a device, system, or process. Participants document their work in an interactive display and the creation of a model/prototype. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their work and participate in an interview.

Junior Solar Sprint (JSS)

Participants apply STEM concepts, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to design, construct, and race a solar-powered model car. Documentation of the process is required. Learn more about JSS, then register on Cvent to begin the JSS journey.

Leadership Strategies

Participants prepare for and deliver a presentation about a specific challenge that officers of a TSA chapter might encounter. Semifinalists follow the same competition procedure but must respond to a different chapter challenge.

Mass Production

Participants manufacture a marketable product that addresses the annual theme. The development of the product prototype is documented in a portfolio that presents participant knowledge and skills related to the mass production process. Through a demonstration of the prototype and an interview, semifinalists support the viability of the prototype.

Mechanical Engineering

Participants design, document, and build a mechanical device (mousetrap car) that incorporates the elements of the annual theme/problem – and then race the car. Finalists are determined based on an evaluation of the documentation portfolio, the race exit interview, and the race placement.

Medical Technology

Participants conduct research on a contemporary medical technology issue related to the annual theme, document their research, create a display, and build a prototype. Semifinalists deliver a presentation about their entry and participate in an interview.

Microcontroller Design

To address the annual theme/problem, participants design and create a working digital device, document the development process, and demonstrate their product as part of a presentation.

Off the Grid

Based on the annual theme, participants conduct research on a sustainable architectural design for a home in a country not their own. Participants produce a portfolio and create a display and a model. Semifinalists present their design and participate in an interview.

On Demand Video

Participants write, shoot, and edit a short video during the conference in this on-site event. Required criteria, such as props and a line of dialogue, make the competition more challenging and will be revealed at the event orientation meeting. NOTE: Due to the length of the state conference, this event will be shortened at state to fit within the allotted time.

Pin Design

Participants design a lapel pin representative of Colorado and Colorado TSA to be used for trading at the National TSA Conference. The winning middle school and winning high school designs will be made into pins for trading

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.

Problem Solving

Participants use problem-solving skills to design and build a solution to an onsite challenge. Solutions are evaluated using measures appropriate to the challenge, such as elapsed time, horizontal or vertical distance, and/or strength.

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.

Robotic Design

Participants will design, build and test a remote controlled robot to carry out a specific challenge. The annual design brief/challenge as well as course specifications and construction materials are located on the Colorado TSA website

Silent Movie

Participants demonstrate their abilities and skills in the field of music and digital video production to create a “silent movie” and then create a musical score to accompany the film.

STEM Animation

Participants design and create a STEM animation video and documentation portfolio to address the annual theme/problem. Semifinalists present their animation and explain the elements of their portfolio/entry.

Structural 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

In response to a challenge presented onsite at the conference, participants analyze a problem (typically one in an industrial setting), build and program a computer-controlled mechanical model to solve the problem, explain the program and the features of the mechanical model solution, and provide instructions for evaluators to operate the device.

Tech Bowl

Participants demonstrate their knowledge of TSA and concepts addressed in technology content standards by completing an objective test. Semifinalists participate in a head-to-head, team competition.

Technical Design

Participants demonstrate their ability to use the technical design process to solve an engineering design problem provided onsite at the conference. Required elements of the entry are presented in a portfolio that includes technical drawings for a minimum of three viable solutions.

T-shirt Design

Participants design the Colorado delegation’s national conference T-shirt. The winner between the middle and high school top finishers will become the state delegation T-shirt.

Video Game Design

Participants design, build, provide documentation for, and launch an E-rated, online game on a subject of their choice. Onsite at the conference, semifinalists deliver a presentation and participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the game.

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.

Website Design

To address the annual challenge, participants design, build, provide documentation for, and launch a website that incorporates the elements of website design, graphic layout, and proper coding techniques. Semifinalists participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website.

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