National Conference Guide - 2019

After the State Conference: Open and Restricted/Closed Events

There are two types of events at Nationals: (1) Open events and (2) Restricted/Closed events. On-site events, such as technology problem solving, qualify as open events.

Any registered TSA Member can compete in open events as there are no maximum capacities or prerequisites for them. That means you did not have to win an award at States in order to compete in these events.

However, you must have won an award (with the exception of 3rd Place CAD Awards) in order to get into closed events as they have to be approved by our State Adviser, Mary Rinehart. That means you cannot enter these events if you won 3rd Place CAD 2D or 3D or did not win an award at States as these events require special permission.

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Closed Events: The following events require you to have won an award in that event in order to compete in it at the National Level. This means that you must have won an award, for the specific event you want to compete in at Nationals, in order to qualify for these events (e.g I can only Compete in CAD Architecture if I won an award in CAD Architecture At State):

1. CAD Architecture
2. CAD 3D
3. STEM Careers
4. Engineering Design

Closed Events: HOWEVER, you must have won ANY award at the State Level AND ask for permission to compete in the following events at the National Level. This means if you won any award at States, you can compete in these events once you ask permission:

1. 3D Animation
2. Biotechnology Design
3. Digital Video Production
4. Essays on Technology
5. Extemporaneous Speech
6. Fashion Design and Technology
7. Music Production
8. Prepared Presentation
9. Promotional Design
10. Scientific Visualization (SciVis)
11. System Control Technology
12. Video Game Design

All events at states will be available at Nationals

(Debating Technology Issues, Engineering Design, Dragster Design, Technology Problem Solving, Structural Design and Engineering, Future Technology Teacher, Coding, CAD 3D Engineering, CAD 2D Architecture, and Computer-Aided Manufacturing, Technology Bowl, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, STEM Careers, Essays on Technology etc...)

3D Animation

"Participants demonstrate their knowledge of 3D animation technology and design skills to creatively demonstrate a solution to the current year's topic "

2018-19 Topic: Ancient Technology

Click here for the full challenge description

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Animatronics

"Animatronics refers to a robotic device that emulates a human or an animal, or brings an inanimate object “to life.” Teams will produce an animatronics device complete with an appropriate display. The animatronics device must use control technology in its performance and fulfill the requirements of the theme to communicate, entertain, inform, demonstrate and/or illustrate a topic, idea, subject, or concept. "

2018-19 Topic: Create an animatronic exhibit for a display at a natural history museum

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Biotechnology Design

"Participants select a contemporary biotechnology problem that relates to the current year’s published topic and demonstrate understanding of it through documented research, the development of a solution, a display, including a model or prototype (optional), and an effective multimedia presentation."

2018-19 : Marine Biotechnology

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

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."

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Extemporaneous Speech

"Participants have the opportunity to verbally communicate their knowledge of technology or TSA subjects. They give a three-to-five (3-5) minute speech fifteen (15) minutes after having drawn a card on which a technology or TSA topic is written."

Eligibility: THIS IS AN ON-SITE EVENT, more information TBA

Full event guide

Fashion Design and Technology

"Students have the opportunity to research, design, and create a portfolio and wearable prototype that reflect the current year’s published theme. Twelve (12) qualifying semifinalist teams participate in an on-site presentation/interview in which they present their garment designs to the judges."

2018-19: Cosplay. Yes really.

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Flight Endurance

"Participants analyze flight principles with a rubber band-powered model aircraft. Participants have the opportunity to build, fly, and adjust (trim) a model to make long endurance flights inside a contained airspace. Models must be of fixed-wing design and comply with all event specifications. "

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Music Production

¨Participants produce an original musical piece that is designed to be played during the national TSA conference opening or closing general sessions. The musical piece should be energizing, interesting, and of a spirit consistent with the Technology Student Association."

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

On Demand Video

"Participants write, shoot, and edit a sixty (60)-second 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."

Eligibility: THIS IS AN ON-SITE EVENT, more information TBA

Full event guide

Photographic Technology

"Participants have the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of and expertise in using photographic and imaging technology processes to convey a message. Semifinalists record images and then utilize graphic editing software to prepare a single final image as a solution to an on-site prompt. "

2018-19 Theme:

• Picture #1: Color picture that must contain a person or people and/or an animal(s) taken in bright afternoon sunlight (between 11 AM and 2 PM). In the photo’s description, state the time that the picture was taken.
• Picture #2: Color picture taken outside during sunrise or sunset
• Picture #3: Black and white picture working with fluorescent lighting
• Picture #4: Black and white picture taken using candlelight
• Picture #5: Student choice as to whether it is color or black and white
• Options for the light source:
  • Moonlight
  • Starlight
  • Nighlight
  • Spotlight
  • Flashlight

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Prepared Presentation

"Participants have the opportunity to develop and deliver an oral presentation using a digital slide deck on an assigned topic provided on-site."

Eligibility: THIS IS AN ON-SITE EVENT, more information TBA

Full event guide

Promotional Design

"Participants have the opportunity to use computerized graphic communications layout and design skills in the production of a promotional resource for TSA. Participants produce an original multi-piece marketing portfolio to be used for TSA chapter recruitment, or as an introductory packet for new TSA advisors/teachers. This promotional packet would be mailable and would include four to five (4-5) separate and different items. "

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Scivis

"Scientific and Technical Visualization (SciVis) is the representation of complex scientific and/or technical concepts in a visual form. Participants use either 2D or 3D computer graphics tools and design processes to communicate, inform, analyze, and/or illustrate a STEM topic, idea, subject, or concept."

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Software Development

"Participants have the opportunity to 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. The project should have educational or social value."

Eligibility: Team event; 1 team (no limit to team members) per chaper

Full event guide

System Control Technology

"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"

Eligibility: THIS IS AN ON-SITE EVENT; more information TBA

Full event guide

Transportation Modeling

"Using only designated materials and following required specifications, participants research, design, and produce a scale model of a vehicle that fits the annual design problem. The entry must take appearance and realism into consideration. "

2018-19 Theme: Maglev City People Mover

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

Video Game Design

"Participants develop a game that focuses on the subject of their choice. The game must be interesting, exciting, visually appealing, and intellectually challenging. The game must have high artistic, educational, and social value. The theme of the current year’s game will be posted on the national TSA website under Competition Themes/Problems."

2018-19 Topic: Role Playing Video Game that is TSA focused or has TSA elements included in it.

Click here for more information

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide

\Webmaster

"Participants are required to design, build, and launch a website that features the school’s career and technology/engineering program, the TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research and present a given topic pertaining to technology (referred to as the “design brief”). Conference semifinalists participate in an on-site 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. "

Click here for the 2018-19 challenge.

Click here for the Team Verification form.

Click here for the Analysis and Assessment form.

Eligibility: TBA

Full event guide