High School Competitive Events Overview

 

The following information provides only a basic description of each event. Please consult 2011 & 2012 High School Technology Activities, National TSA Conference Competitive Events Guide (on CD) for detailed specifications and rules regarding each event.

Please check the national website at www.tsaweb.org/Updates-and-Clarification for any updates and clarifications for your competitions.

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.

Architectural Model

Participants develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual architectural design challenge and construct an architectural model to accurately depict the design.

Participants design a senior citizen day care center.

Biotechnology Design

Participants select a contemporary biotechnology problem that relates to the current year’s published area of focus and demonstrate understanding of it through documented research, the development of a solution, a display, and an effective multimedia presentation. If appropriate, a model or prototype of the solution may be included in the display. Participants may choose to recreate or simulate research that previously has been performed within the scientific community.

Students select a contemporary biotechnology problem that relates to Pharmaceutical/ Agricultural Chemicals and demonstrate understanding of the problem through research, a solution, a display and a multimedia presentation.

Career Comparisons

Participants thoroughly research various technology-related careers that are associated with one of the following technology areas: Biotechnology, Communications, Energy and Power, Engineering, Manufacturing, Medical Technology, Technology Education Teaching, Transportation, or Construction. After documenting the research, each student submits a cover letter and resume for the selected career and completes a formal job application. Semifinalists participate in an on-site mock interview.

Chapter Team (Written and Oral)

Participants take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to proceed to the semifinals. Semifinalist teams perform an opening ceremony, dispose of three items of business, and perform a closing ceremony within a specified time period.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture

Participants create representations, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry. Students may be expected to animate a presentation of their entry.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering

Participants create 3D computer model(s) of an engineering or machine object, such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product. Students may be expected to animate a portion of their model.

Construction Renovation

Participants develop a set of presentation boards to include plans, illustrations and finishes for a specified space. The solution must include all applicable construction systems.

To obtain the design problem, please check the National Website

Debating Technological Issues

Participants debate against a team/s from another chapter in order to advance to the semifinals. The teams are instructed on site to take either the pro or con side of a topic that is designated annually.

Team members prepare to debate both pro and con views of a subtopic (which falls under a general topic) against a team from another chapter. The topic is Biotechnology, with these subtopics:
1) Is it appropriate to use emerging synthetic genomic engineering technology to build new forms of “life”?
2) Should genetic engineering techniques and processes be used in agriculture?
3) Should companies that develop genetically altered plants and seeds be allowed to have a monopoly on the products they develop?

Desktop Publishing

Participants develop a notebook that includes a tri-fold pamphlet, a three-column newsletter, and a poster. All participants (not just semifinalists) then work to solve an on-site problem that demonstrates their abilities to use the computer to design, edit, and print materials for publication.

Theme: Beyond Tradition

Digital Video Production

Participants develop a digital video/film that focuses on the given year’s theme. Sound may accompany the film.

Theme: Suspense

Dragster Design

Participants design, produce working drawings for, and build a CO2-powered dragster.

Update: Insertion to the Dragster Design rating form, between Tolerance violation and Drawing: Dragster appearance…………………………….15 pts.

Engineering Design

Participants work as part of a team to solve a design problem. Through use of a model/prototype, display, and design notebook, the team explains in detail how it has solved the problem and the solution’s impact on society and the environment. Semifinalists demonstrate the problem and solution in a timed presentation.

Essays on Technology

Participants conduct research in an announced technological area and, using the knowledge and personal insights gained from this research, write a persuasive essay on one subtopic selected from two or three related subtopics designated on site.

Topic: The Impacts of Every-Changing Technology on Schools
Subtopics:
Budgets
Computers
World Wide Web
Classroom technology

Extemporaneous Presentation

Participants give a three to five minute speech, fifteen minutes after having drawn a card on which a technology or TSA topic for a speech is written.

Fashion Design

Participants research, develop and create garment designs, garment mock-ups, and portfolios that reflect the current year’s published theme. Semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they present their potential garment designs to the judges on a TSA runway.

The theme challenge is to design two outfits that correspond to a specific historical period, such as the Victorian era, or any other historical period with a particular fashion style.

Flight Endurance

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

Future Technology Teacher

Participants research and select three accredited colleges or universities that offer technology education or engineering technology teacher preparation as a major. Each participant must write a one page simulated college essay about the wish to become a teacher in either major. Participants also develop and present a lesson plan.

Manufacturing Prototype

Participants design and manufacture a prototype of a product and provide a description of how the product could be manufactured in a state-of-the-art American manufacturing facility.

Product: a complete desk set. The set must include–but is not limited to–a coaster, a double paper tray, a pen and pencil holder, and a business card holder. An appropriate marketing package should accompany the product. The marketing package should not include the use of any copyrighted characters or images.

Music Production

Participants produce a musical piece that is designed to be played during the national TSA conference opening or closing general sessions.

On Demand Video

Participants write, shoot, and edit a sixty second video during the conference in this on-site event.

Photographic Technology

Students capture images and process photographic and digital prints that depict the current year’s published theme. Twelve (12) qualifying semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they capture digital images and utilize multimedia software to prepare a storyboard/outline and media presentation of newsworthy TSA conference activities and events.

Theme: Perspectives

Prepared Presentation

Participants deliver an oral presentation that includes audio and/or visual enhancement based on the theme for the current year’s conference.

Theme: The Road to Success

Promotional Graphics

Participants develop and present a graphic design that can be used to promote participation in TSA competitive events. The design will promote annually-selected competitions from TSA's array of competitive events.

Options: On Demand Video; Biotechnology Design; Prepared Presentation

Scientific and Technical Visualization (SciVis)

Participants develop a visualization focusing on a subject or topic from one or more of the following areas: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Structural Engineering

Participants work as part of a team, on site with supplied materials, to build a model of a structure that is destructively tested to determine design efficiency.

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.

Technical Sketching and Application

Participants complete a written test in order to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalists must demonstrate their ability to solve on-site engineering graphics problems using standard drafting techniques.

Technology Bowl (Written and Oral)

Participants complete a written, objective test in order to qualify for oral question/response, head-to-head team competition.

Technology Problem Solving

Participants use problem solving skills and limited materials to develop a solution to a problem given on site.

Transportation Modeling

A participant using only certain materials and following required specifications design and produce a CO2-powered scale model of a vehicle that fits the annual design problem and that takes appearance and performance into consideration.

Theme: pre-1960 antique vehicle

Update: M2. The body of the vehicle model must be made from wood.

While using plastic model car bodies is not allowed (including hoods, fenders, etc.), it is permissible to use manufactured parts, such as body strengtheners, plastic canopy, exhausts, air foils/spoilers, head and tail lights, windshields, seats, mirrors, and antennae. They may be attached to or enclosed within the vehicle and may be made of materials other than wood, with the exception of glass or liquids. These parts must be fastened securely unless they are to be removed prior to the timed run. Any removable parts must be identified as removable on the drawings

TSA VEX Robotics Competition

Participants engage in a signature head-to-head robotics competition that promotes student understanding and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas.

This year’s event: Gateway

Video Game Design

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. The game should have high artistic, educational, and social value. A working, interactive game will be submitted on a DVD for evaluation.

Webmaster

Participants are required to design, build and launch a World Wide Web site that features the school’s career and technology education program, the TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research topics pertaining to technology. 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 Internet and web history, web design (school, chapter and design brief pages), and research about cutting edge advances in technology.

To obtain the 2011-2012 design brief, check the National website