Middle School Competitive Events Overview Learning To Live In A Technical World! GEORGIA

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Agriculture & Biotechnology Design One team per chapter / Three per state Participants conduct research on a contemporary agriculture or biotechnology problem of their choosing, document their research, and create a display. The steps used in the solution of the problem may be student-performed research or a re- creation or simulation of research performed by the scientific community. If appropriate, a model or prototype of the solution may be included in the display.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Agriculture & Biotechnology Design One team per chapter

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Career Prep One individual per chapter During the school year participants conduct research on a selected technology-related career and use the knowledge gained to prepare a resume and cover letter, complete a job application, and participate in a mock interview. In 2012, students choose one (1) of these careers: Mechanical engineer Architect Telecommunications specialist Construction manager Cardiologist In 2013, students choose one (1) of these careers: Industrial designer LAN technician Biomedical engineer Traffic engineer Photographer

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Career Prep One individual per chapter In 2012, students choose one (1) of these careers: Mechanical engineer Architect Telecommunications specialist Construction manager Cardiologist In 2013, students choose one (1) of these careers: Industrial designer LAN technician Biomedical engineer Traffic engineer Photographer

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Challenging Technology Issues One team of two per chapter Participating teams of two members 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.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Chapter Team One team of six per chapter Participants take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to proceed to the semifinals, where they: perform an opening ceremony dispose of three (3) items of business and perform a closing ceremony within a specified time period.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Participants design and produce 1)a trifold brochure that promotes the chapter 2)an effective sponsor support request on chapter letterhead, and 3)an 8½" x 11" glossy, two-sided postcard promoting TSAs current national service project. Semifinalists are asked to work creatively under constraints in designing a solution to a problem given on site. Communication Challenge One individual per chapter, one entry per individual

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events COMMUNITY SERVICE VIDEO One entry per chapter – Individual or group Create and submit a finished video, capable of being played on a stand-alone DVD player that depicts your local TSA chapters service with the American Cancer Society, national TSAs service partner. GET PERMISSION for use of Copyrighted music!

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events 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. Construction Challenge One team per chapter

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Digital Photography One individual per chapter Participants (three individuals per state) produce and submit an album of digital photographs consisting of color or black and white digital photographs that present a theme in journalistic style. Semifinalists produce three digital photographs taken at the conference site that have been edited appropriately for the on-site task. The theme for 2012 is The Art and Science of Technology. The theme for 2013 is TSA, Organized Chaos.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Dragster Two individuals per chapter Students design and construct a CO2 powered dragster to meet specific regulations. Overall score includes wind tunnel test score, appearance, meeting specifications, drawing and speed points. Specified specification changes each year! Check the current Competitive Events Guide for the current years car requirements

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Dragster Design For past winning cars go to Pitsco.com –

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Electrical Applications Two per chapter Participants take a written test of basic electrical and electronic theory to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalists assemble a specific circuit from a schematic diagram using a provided kit and make required electrical measurements. Semifinalists explain their solution during an interview.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Environmental Focus One team per chapter, one entry per team 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.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Essays on Technology One entry per chapter Participants conduct research in specified subtopics of a broader technological area and, using the knowledge and resources gained through that research, write a comprehensive essay on the one (1) subtopic that is designated on site. The topic for the 2012 conference is The Impacts of Ever-Changing Technology on Schools, with these subtopics: Budgets; Computers; World Wide Web; Classroom technology The topic for the 2013 conference is The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology on Todays Youth, with these subtopics: Education; Social development; Ethics

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Flight Two individuals per chapter, one entry each 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.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Global Manufacturing One team of no more than 6 students formed by 3 chapters A TSA chapter, working with two (2) or three (3) other TSA chapters, designs, manufactures and packages a product. Two (2) completed products will be included in the display for this event. Team members must come from TSA middle school chapters. High school TSA chapter members cannot be included in this event.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Go Green Manufacturing One team of at least 3 per chapter, one entry per team Participants design and manufacture a product using recycled material that has been donated from business or industry. The chapter submits documentation of chapter activities and two product samples made during the manufacturing experience.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Inventions & Innovations One team at least three individual members Participants per chapter, one entry per team] investigate and determine the need for the invention or innovation of a device, system or process. 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 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.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Leadership Strategies One team of three individual members per chapter 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.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Medical Technology Issues One team of two or more per chapter, one entry per team 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.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Multimedia Production One individual per chapter, one entry per individual Participants (one individual per chapter, one entry per individual) create and design a stand-alone multimedia presentation to promote the National TSA theme for the current year.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Prepared Speech One entry per chapter Participants develop and deliver an oral presentation that reflects the theme of the current years national conference. The theme for the 2012 conference is The Road to Success. The theme for the 2013 conference is A Tradition of Excellence.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Problem Solving One team of two per chapter Participants use problem solving skills and limited materials to develop a solution to a problem given on site and are required to work as a team to provide the best solution, which is measured objectively.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Promotional Design Two individuals per chapter A long-standing tradition at the National TSA conference is trading state lapel pins at the mixer. In this competition, participants will design a color lapel pin that can be used to promote their state TSA association at the next national TSA conference

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Structural Engineering One team of two per chapter Participants work as part of a team on site with supplied materials to build a model of a structure in 2-1/2 hours, that is destructively tested to determine design efficiency. A beam, is the designated structure for 2012 and 2013.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events System Control Technology One team of three per chapter 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.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Tech Bowl One team of three per chapter A written test is given to determine top ten teams. Head-to-head elimination tournament competition determines the winner. Awards also given to the top individual test scores….(not money)

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Technical Design Two individuals per chapter Participants demonstrate their ability to use the technical design process to solve an engineering design problem. Participants will be given a design brief on site that includes a problem statement and specific criteria and constraints utilizing the technical design process to solve the problem

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Techno Talk Two teams of two individuals per state Students who have been randomly paired [one (1) team of two (2) students from one school with a team of two (2) students from another school, in order to form one (1) team of four (4) members at the conference] must demonstrate creativity and communication skills by building a structure and then replicating it through the use of a short message service (SMS)/text messaging device.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Transportation Systems Two individuals per chapter, one entry per individual Participants apply and document the engineering design process, mathematical principals 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.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Video Game Design One team of at least two individuals per chapter 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 will be submitted on a DVD for evaluation.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Website Design One team of three to five per chapter Students are required to design, build and launch a World Wide Web site that features the teams research about a cutting edge science, technology, engineering or mathematics- related topic. Pre-conference semifinalists participate in an on-site interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website The annual theme and problem is found on the National TSA Website:

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Outstanding Chapter Overall State Championship Chapters receive points for placing 1 st through 10 th in individual and team events. 1st place receives 10pts, 2 nd receives 9pts and so forth, through 10 th who receives 1pt. All accumulated points are tallied after all events are done and the top 10 chapters are recognized with plaques for 10 th through 4 th place and the top three chapters receive trophies.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events Outstanding Student One individual per chapter This is a Georgia-only event. Chapters may nominate one individual member by completing the required forms. Finalists are interviewed on-site during the State Conference.

National Technology Student Association Competitive Events In All of the events you enter… Read ALL of the rules Be the expert of the event. If you are stuck and have questions…ask. ( Trust me, advisors arent as dumb as they look!) Sweat the details Double check all regulations Get someone else to check your work. WORK ONE MORE HOUR THAN YOUR COMPETITORS DO! Good Luck.