Challenging Technology Issues
Participants prepare and deliver
an extemporaneous debate style presentation with
team members explaining opposing views of a current
technology issue that has been selected on site
from a choice of three options.
Chapter Team
Participants demonstrate their understanding
of parliamentary procedure relative to business
meetings. Participants must successfully complete
a written parliamentary procedures test in order
to proceed to the semifinals, where they perform
an opening ceremony, dispose of three items of business,
and perform a closing ceremony within a specified
time period.
Communication Challenge
Participants design and produce 1)
a trifold brochure that promotes the chapter, 2)
an effective sponsor support request on chapter
letterhead, and 3) an 8 ½ x 11 inch glossy,
two-sided postcard promoting TSA’s current
national service project. Semifinalists work creatively
under constraints to design a solution to an on-site
problem.
Community Service Video
Participants create and submit a
finished video that highlights their chapter’s
involvement with the American Cancer Society, national
TSA’s service partner.
Construction Challenge
Participants submit a display that
documents the use of their leadership and technical
skills to fulfill a community need related to construction.
Semifinalists discuss their projects in a presentation
and an interview.
Digital Photography
Participants produce an album of
color or black and white digital photographs that
represent or relate to a chosen theme and place
the album on a storage device for submission. Semifinalists
produce a series of digital photographs taken at
the conference site that have been edited appropriately
for the on-site task.
Theme: TSA, Organized Chaos
Dragster
Participants design, produce working
drawings for, and build a CO2-powered dragster according
to stated specifications and using only certain
specified materials.
Electrical Applications
Participants demonstrate knowledge
of basic electrical and electronic theory 1) in
a written test and 2) through the use of a multimeter.
Semifinalists assemble a specific circuit from a
schematic diagram (using a kit provided), make required
electrical measurements and explain their solution
during an interview.
Environmental Focus
Participants identify and research
a specific environmental problem or issue that has
been influenced by advancements in technology. Students
present their findings in the form of a multimedia
presentation.
Essays on Technology
Participants conduct research on
specified subtopics of a broader technological area
and, using the knowledge and resources gained through
that research, write a comprehensive essay on the
one subtopic that is designated on site.
Topic: The Positive and Negative
Effects of Technology on Today’s Youth
Subtopics:
Education
Social Development
Ethics
Flight
Participants study the principles
of flight and design in order to fabricate (using
materials provided) and test-fly gliders. Gliders
must be designed to be launched from a catapult
that is provided on site. Flight duration of the
gliders and documentation of the design process
are the primary elements of the evaluation.
Global Manufacturing
Participants formed from the three
TSA chapters involved] design, manufacture and package
a marketable mass-produced product through a collaborative
effort. Two completed products will be included
in the display for this event.
Go Green Manufacturing
Participants design and manufacture
a product using recycled or reused materials. The
chapter submits documentation of chapter activities
and two product samples made during the manufacturing
experience.
Inventions and Innovations
Participants per chapter, one entry
per team] investigate and determine the need for
an invention or innovation of a device, system or
process. Team members will 1) create a prototype
or model, 2) develop a standalone multimedia presentation
and 3) document work completed as they prepare to
promote and demonstrate their idea for the invention
or innovation. Semifinalists make an oral presentation
to a panel of judges who will act as a group of
venture capitalists interested in providing funding
for the development of the idea.
Leadership Strategies
Participants work in teams to develop
a plan of action that addresses a specific challenging
situation provided on site. Under time constraints,
semifinalists develop a plan for a second situation
and then make a team presentation.
Medical Technology Issues
Participants conduct research on
a contemporary medical technology issue of their
choosing, document their research and create a display.
The information gathered may include student-performed
research or a re-creation or simulation of research
performed by the scientific community. If appropriate,
a model or prototype depicting some aspect of the
issue may be included in the display.
Multimedia Production
Participants use their creative skills
to develop an animation that promotes the theme
for the current year.
Theme: My Chapter’s Community
Service Project
Prepared Speech
Participants develop and deliver
an oral presentation that reflects the theme of
the current year’s national conference.
Theme: A Tradition of Excellence
Problem Solving
Participants use problem solving
skills to develop a finite solution to a stated
problem given on site. Participants work as a team
to provide the best solution, which is measured
objectively.
Promotional Design
Participants) create and produce
a color pin design that is appropriate for trading
at the national TSA conference.
Structural Engineering
Participants work to determine superior
engineering as they conduct research and then model
and test a structure that is designed to hold the
greatest weight. Teams submit their models for destructive
testing.
System Control Technology
Participants develop a computer-controlled
model solution to a problem provided on site. Typically,
the problem is a scenario of a situation in an industrial
setting that requires a solution. 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 operating the device.
Tech Bowl
Participants are required to complete
a written objective examination to qualify for the
oral question/response, head-to-head team competition
phase of the event.
Technical Design
Participants demonstrate the ability
to use the technical design process to solve an
engineering design problem.
Techno Talk
Participants demonstrate the ability
to work together in teams of randomly paired students
in order to build and replicate a structure using
limited communication.
Transportation Systems
Participants apply and document the
engineering design process and mathematical principles
and scientific concepts used in the research, design,
construction, testing and evaluation of a rubber
band-powered boat. Performance ratings of the boat
will be based on a combination of speed and payload
capability measurements.
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.
To obtain the 2012-2013 contest,
check the National website
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. A working, interactive
game is submitted for evaluation.
Website Design
Participants are required to design,
build and launch a World Wide Web site that features
the team’s research about a science, technology,
engineering or mathematics (STEM)-related topic.
Pre-conference semifinalists participate in an on-site
interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise
gained during the development of the website.
To obtain the 2012-2013 design
brief, please check the National website
For the
Utah TSA State Conference all entries for Webmaster
must be submitted to rmecham@utahtsa.org
by the end of the day on Friday, March 15, 2013.
