Technology Student Association

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The Technology Student Association (TSA) is an international Career and Technical Student Organization made up of over 150,000 Middle School and High School Technology Education Students. The Association serves students interested in technology of all sorts, providing them opportunities to compete, lead and learn about technology. The organization's motto is "Learning to live in a technical world."


Contents

[edit] Competition

Competitive events are separated into middle school and high school levels, with students competing only with their respective age group. Events range from graphic design projects to manufacturing designs. A component of leadership is often entailed in events at both levels, with some events being devoted to leadership (such as the Leadership Challenge).

Events are scored by volunteer judges at each competition level (usually technology educators or industry representatives). [1] Scores are out of 100 points and based upon a nationally developed rubric. Winners are chosen based on these scores. In many events, finalists (top 10) move onto a second round of competition which usually involves an interview with the judges about the project. First, second, and third place winner are awarded at trophy at the national level. [2]

One of the most popular and difficult events in TSA is Chapter Team, where a group of six individuals take a test showing their knowledge of parliamentary procedure. Finalist teams have to then demonstrate their knowledge by conducting a meeting according to parliamentary procedure and are judged based on their parliamentary ability, as well as their presence and oral communication. An agenda of business that must be covered is given to the team prior to entering the competition room, and they have 15 minutes to conduct all business and adjourn the meeting.

[edit] History

TSA became an independent organization in 1978, when AIASA Inc. was formed to oversee the activities of the American Industrial Arts Student Association. Between the foundation of AIASA as an independent organization (it had formerly been a part of the American Industrial Arts Association) and 1988, the association grew and began to take shape.[3]

In 1988, the AIASA changed its name to the Technology Student Association, due to the shift of Technology Education's focus from Industrial Arts to mainstream technology. The next year, the official logo was adopted, having been submitted by a chapter advisor. In 1990, the logo received a trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.[4]

Today, the Association has grown to include over 150,000 members. [5] It has established an Honor Society, plays host to numerous competitive events and has partnerships with several large American corporations.

[edit] Structure

The basic levels of TSA are national, state, and local. Local chapters, established by advisors and students in schools with Technology Education programs, are led by a group of officers. Students at the local level work on projects and compete at local, state and national conferences.

State associations are led by a team of State Officers, sometimes called an Executive Council. State TSA Advisors also help run the organization day-to-day. State Officers are usually elected by Voting Delegates from each state chapter.

On the national level, a six member National Officer Team, along with the National Staff, lead the association. These officers are elected by voting delegates from each chapter during each National Conference. The six National Offices are the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter and Sergeant-at-Arms. These offices form the basic core of most local and state teams, although others have been added in some cases.

State, national and local conferences offer members a chance to compete in various competitive events and attend leadership building events. General Sessions involving Keynote Speakers and the Officers are common.

[edit] Partnerships

TSA has strategic partnerships with several other organizations and companies, including:[6]The Air Force Association, The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Autodesk, Pitsco and DuPont who host an Annual Leadership Academy at National Conference

TSA is also supported by Goodheart-Wilcox Publishers and Raytheon. They have a service partnership with the American Cancer Society (which hosts Relay for Life events at conferences) and are affiliated with the Association for Career and Technical Education, the U.S. Dept. of Education, Epsilon Pi Tau, and many other corporations and organizations.

TSA has a special relationship with F1 in Schools, hosting its annual U.S. National Competition at the National TSA Conference.

Additionally, TSA has a service partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS), which are parts of their National Service Project. TSA members raise money to promote advocacy and research in the ACS, and the ACS issues Spirit of Service awards at each national conference. In the past, conferences have hosted Relay for Life events on site. [7]

[edit] Official Dress

TSA Official Dress includes a navy blue blazer with a TSA logo patch. This patch usually contains the State's name in the upper bar. Official dress also includes an official TSA tie, a white dress shirt or blouse, light grey pants or skirt, black shoes and black socks. [8]

[edit] Notable alumni


[edit] National Conference Locations

Year Host State Location Hotel/Conference Center
1978 (AIASA) Same as location Memphis, Tennessee unknown
1980 (AIASA) Same as location Gatlinburg, Tennessee unknown
1981 (AIASA) Same as location Tulsa, Oklahoma unknown
1982 (AIASA) Same as location Norfolk, Virginia unknown
1983 (AIASA) Same as location Houston, Texas unknown
1984 (AIASA) Same as location Knoxville, Tennessee unknown
1985 (AIASA) Same as location Orlando, Florida unknown
1986 (AIASA) Same as location Wichita, Kansas unknown
1987 (AIASA) Same as location Baton Rouge, Louisiana unknown
1988 (Name becomes TSA) Same as location Dowingtown, Pennsylvania unknown
1989 (TSA) Same as location Winston-Salem, North Carolina unknown
1990 (TSA) Same as location Corpus Christi, Texas unknown
1991 (TSA) Same as location Tulsa, Oklahoma unknown
1992 (TSA) Same as location Richmond, Virginia unknown
1993 (TSA) Same as location Nashville, Tennessee unknown
1994 (TSA) Same as location Orlando, Florida unknown
1995 (TSA) Same as location Chicago, Illinois unknown
1996 (TSA) Same as location Louisville, Kentucky unknown
1997 (TSA) Same as location Washington, D.C. Hilton Towers
1998 (TSA) Same as location Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania unknown
1999 (TSA) Same as location Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa Convention Center
2000 (TSA) Same as location Atlanta, Georgia Hyatt Regency Atlanta
2001 (TSA) Same as location Richmond, Virginia Greater Richmond Convention Center
2002 (TSA) Same as location Denver, Colorado Adams Mark Denver
2003 (TSA) Same as location Orlando, Florida Rosen Centre Hotel
2004 (TSA) Same as location Nashville, Tennessee Gaylord Opryland
2005 (TSA) Same as location Chicago, Illinois Sheraton Chicago
2006 (TSA) Same as location Dallas, Texas Adams Mark Dallas
2007 (TSA) Same as location Nashville, Tennessee Gaylord Opryland
2008 (TSA) Same as location Orlando, Florida Rosen Shingle Creek
2009 (TSA) Same as location Denver, Colorado Sheraton Denver Hotel
2010 (TSA) Delaware Baltimore, Maryland unknown

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.tsaweb.org/Our-Story
  2. ^ http://www.tsaweb.org/Competitions
  3. ^ http://www.tsaweb.org/History
  4. ^ http://www.tsaweb.org/History
  5. ^ http://www.tsaweb.org/Our-Story
  6. ^ http://tsaweb.org/Business-Partners
  7. ^ http://www.tsaweb.org/National-Service-Project
  8. ^ http://icat.okcareertech.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/OKCT.woa/1/wa/room?id=I5Lu5


[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_Student_Association"
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