TSA Competitions

Different types

On-Site The competition will take place AT The College of

New Jersey OR students PRESENT their findings

Pre-Conference The competition is only JUDGED at The College

of New Jersey- the majority of the work is done at school and brought to the competition

Participation

Students can only participate in ONE on site event

Potential to participate in multiple if competitions are pre-conference

Agriculture and Biotechnology

Teams of 2 members

Can have up to 3 different teams (6 students)

Challenge: Choose a challenging contemporary issue related to agriculture and biotechnology, and demonstrate understanding of the issue through research and effective presentation

Pre-Conference

Students will research the topic, prepare a binder of information and a display board and bring it to the competition

Career Prep Individual competition

Can have 2 participants

Pre-Conference

Challenge: Design and produce a cover letter and a chronological or skills resume based on research of a selected technology-related career from this list: Nuclear Engineer Database administrator Information systems security professional Software developer

Challenging Technology Issues

Two teams

2 students per team (4 students)

On-site

Challenge: Prepare and deliver a debate-style presentation explaining opposing views of a current technology issue from a choice of three provided at the competition

Communication Challenge

One student

Pre-conference

Design and produce: Trifold brochure that promotes chapter Letterhead with sponsor letter Postcard promoting TSA’s national service

project

Community Service Video

One team of students

Pre-conference

Plan and implement one or more fundraisers for the American Cancer Society

Create and submit a finished video that depicts the community service

No more than 2.5 minutes

Digital Photography

Individual competition

2 individual participants

Pre-Conference

Challenge: Produce an album and a 8” by 10” collage of digital photographs consisting of color or black and white digital photographs that present a theme in journalistic style.

Theme: Our Town

Energy Source

One team of 2-3 students

Pre-conference

Conduct research on either renewable sources, nuclear energy, or fossil fuels and create: Tri-fold brochure about the source A promotional video that outlines the benefits of

that source

Environmental Focus

2 students per team

1 team may participate

On-Site

Challenge: Participants are to identify and research a specific environmental problem or issue that has been influenced by advancements in technology. They will gather information, analyze data, develop strategies and submit conclusion relative to the specific problem or issue. Students will present their findings in the form of a multimedia presentation

Essays On Technology Individual competition

3 individuals may participate

On Site

Thoroughly research the announced topic and use the knowledge and the resources acquired to write a report on site that effectively addresses one of the selected subtopics

Topic: Trends in Social Networking

Subtopics: Teenagers/Young Adults Businesses/Corporations Future Potential of Social Networking

You can prepare a handwritten 3x5 in note card for each subject to bring to the competition

Inventions and Innovations

5 members per team

1 team per chapter

On-Site

Investigate and determine the need for an invention or innovation of a device, system or process. Brainstorm possible solutions and determine the best idea for the invention or innovation. Team members will: 1)create a prototype or model 2) develop a stand alone multimedia presentation and 3) document work completed as they prepare to promote and demonstrate their idea

Leadership Strategies

On Site

One team

Three students per team

Demonstrate leadership and team skills by responding to a specific leadership challenge that officers of a TSA chapter might encounter. Teams get the problem and have one hour to create a written action plan

Medical Technology Issues

On Site

Teams of 2

Participants conduct research on a contemporary medical technology issue of their choosing, document their research, and create a display. The information 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.

Prepared Speech

Individual competition

One student may participate

On-Site

Develop and deliver a speech on the topic: Designing Your Dreams

Must be less between 3-5 minutes

Problem Solving

2 students per team

1 team per chapter

Work effectively as a team to manipulate and process materials using only tools designated. An objective measurement is used to determine the best solution given to the problem.

Given a problem with a bag of materials, 2 hours to create a solution

STEM Animation

One team of three students

Pre-Conference

Allows participants to develop a scientific and/or technical visualization focusing on one (1) or more of the following areas: science, technology, engineering, and/ or mathematics.

May use computer graphic tools and design processes to communicate, inform, analyze and/or illustrate a topic, idea, subject, or concept. Sound may accompany the graphic images.

Structural Model

2 members on a team

Only 1 team may participate

On-site

Challenge: Research, model, and test a structure designed to hold the greatest load. Each team is given a selected span (12 inches) to be tested and must plan and then construct a model using the supplied materials within 1.5 hours. The model is submitted for destructive testing

Tech Bowl

3 students per team

1 team per chapter

On-site

First written test on technology topics, then quiz bowl type “game show” with similar questions

Technical Design

Pre-conference

Team of 2 students

Given a design brief online that includes a problem statement and specific criteria and constraints, students have two days to design a solution

Challenge not given until February-March

Water Infrastructure

One team of 2-3 students

On-Site

Theme: The Impact of Green Infrastructures on Communities

Participants conduct research on the posted water infrastructure topic, document their research, and develop a multimedia presentation around the topic.

The End

Any Questions?