Home        Competitive Events      Past Events        Picture Archive         Community Service

Agriculture and Biotechnology Challenge
Participants (one team per chapter) conduct research on a contemporary agriculture or biotechnology 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.


Career Challenge
Participants (one individual per chapter) 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 2005, students choose one (1) of these careers: Computer Programmer, Electrical Engineer, Microcomputer Specialist, Civil Engineer, Computer Technician.


Challenging Technology Issues
Participants (three (3) teams of two (2) members per state) work together to present opposing views of a technology issue selected on-site from a choice of three (3) options.


Chapter Team
Participants (one team of six members per chapter) demonstrate their understanding of parliamentary procedures as they relate to business meetings. The following actions are required: successfully complete a written parliamentary procedures test in order to qualify, and then perform an opening and closing ceremony, and a disposition of three items of business within a specified time period.


Communication Challenge
Participants (one individual per chapter) design, produce, and submit a chapter recruitment brochure and a sponsor support request letter on chapter letterhead. Finalists are required to create and design a solution to a problem assigned on site. Finalists produce a layout of a promotional item for a hypothetical company.


Computer Applications
Participants (three (3) individual entries per state) are required to complete a written exam covering basic computer literacy, to make appropriate computer hardware connections, and to demonstrate the use of software applications by completing an assigned task.


Construction Challenge
Participants (one team of two (2) members per chapter) submit a display that documents the use of their leadership and technical skills to fulfill a community need related to construction. Finalists discuss their projects in an interview.


Cyberspace Pursuit
Participants (one team of three (3) to five (5) members per chapter) are required to create and launch a HTML (hyper-text markup language) World Wide Web site that features the school's technology education program, the school's TSA chapter, and the TSA chapter's solution to a technology design brief that is available on the TSA web site.


Digital Photography Challenge
Participants (three (3) individuals per state) produce and submit an album of digital photographs consisting of five 4"x 6" color or black and white digital photographs that present a chapter activity. Finalists then take and edit as necessary three 4"x 6" digital photographs in accordance with their on-site task.


Dragster Design Challenge
Participants (two individuals per chapter) design, produce drawings of, and build a CO2- powered dragster utilizing the materials designated by the rules and following the required specifications. Cars are evaluated on the basis of the drawing, the dragster's appearance, and the final position in the race.


Electrical Applications
Participants (two individuals per chapter) demonstrate knowledge of basic electrical theory through a written test. Finalists assemble a specific circuit from a schematic diagram using a kit provided and perform required electrical measurements. Finalists then explain their solution during an interview.


Environmental Challenge
Participants (one team of two (2) members per chapter) are required to design and create a visual display that documents the team's solution to a specific environmental concern. Finalists are interviewed about the team's solution to the problem.


Flight Challenge
Participants (two (2) individuals per chapter) study the principles of flight and then design, fabricate, and test a glider. Using an original design and the materials provided on site, entrants create a glider designed to stay in flight for the longest period of time. Gliders are designed to be launched from a catapult provided on site.


Graphic Design Challenge
Participants (limited to two (2) individuals per chapter) are required to develop a plan and layout of a graphic design intended for use in TSA National conference publications and various promotional items. Entrants must create and produce a one color graphic design appropriate for the annual national conference. The design must promote the theme for the upcoming national conference. Entrants in the Graphic Design Challenge use the theme "TSA, Pathway to Tomorrow."


Inventions and Innovations
Participants (one team per chapter) investigate a technological invention or innovation that is of interest to the chapter; research the topic; evaluate the results of the research; design and construct a tabletop display that effectively demonstrates the results of the research. The theme for 2005 is "manufacturing technologies."

Leadership Challenge
Participants (one team of three (3) individuals per chapter) demonstrate leadership skills by working cooperatively as a team to develop a written plan of action to solve a related problem. Specific challenge statements are given on site and will relate to problems that might likely be solved by the leaders of a TSA chapter. Finalists are given a specified time to prepare a solution to a second problem and make a team presentation of the resolution.

Manufacturing Challenge
Participants (one team of three (3) individuals per chapter) identify a consumer need and design and manufacture a product using material suitable for recycling. The chapter is responsible for locating reusable material from an industry that may, in the process, help create a relationship between the local chapter and industry. The chapter submits an exhibit, documentation of chapter activities, and two product samples made during the manufacturing process.

Marine Design Challenge
Participants (one team of two (2) individuals per chapter) research and present sailboat design principles and build a model sailboat that is raced in a test tank. Participants also choose a country with a sea water port and incorporate information about that country into their boat design and presentation.

Mechanical Challenge
Participants (one team of two (2) individuals per chapter) use their critical thinking skills to solve a problem with simple machines. Participants design, construct, and operate a mechanical device in order to collect a variety of balls from a gaming court in the least amount of time. The mechanical device must utilize two or more of the six simple machines to convert human force into the motion needed for collecting the various balls.

Medical Technology Challenge
Participants (one team per chapter) 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
Participants (one individual per chapter) are required to deliver an oral presentation enhanced by audio and/or visual means. The topic is always the theme for the current year's national conference. For 2005, the theme is "TSA: A Legacy of Leaders."

Problem Solving
Participants (one team of two (2) individuals per chapter) demonstrate their skills in problem solving by using materials provided to develop a finite solution to a stated problem given on site. The specific problem will be written so that an objective measurement can be made to determine the best solution.

Structural Challenge
Participants (one team of two (2) members per chapter) use basic engineering techniques to research, model, and stress test a bridge designed to hold the greatest load. Teams submit their models for destructive testing.

System Control Technology
Participants (one team of three (3) members per state) develop a computer controlled model solution to a given problem. Typically, the specific problem is a scenario of a situation in an industrial setting that requires a solution. Teams are given a problem on-site; analyze the problem, build a computer controlled mechanical model, program the model, explain the features of the solution, and leave instructions for judges on how to operate the device.

Technical Design Challenge
Participants (two (2) individuals per chapter) develop detailed sketches, plans, and technical specifications to document the proposed solution to a specific technical design problem. Participants demonstrate the ability to read and interpret technical sketches, drawings, and the use of materials in completing a technical design and illustration test.

Technical Writing Challenge
Participant (one individual per chapter) is required to research an announced technological area and then, utilizing the knowledge and resources gained from this research, write a comprehensive report on a selection of three related subtopics designated on site. The topic for the 2005 conference is "Alternative Energy."

Technology Bowl Challenge
Participants (one team of three (3) individuals per chapter) demonstrate their knowledge of TSA, leadership skills, and the systems of technology by successfully completing written and oral testing. Each team member independently completes a written objective examination. The teams with the highest combined scores qualify for the oral head to head team competition phase of the event. Written test event entries are limited to three per chapter. Oral team competition entries are limited to one three member team per chapter, consisting of the three participants in the written test.

Transportation Challenge
Participants (two (2) individuals per chapter) design, engineer, and fabricate an all terrain vehicle using battery power capable of transporting a payload over the designated length of an obstacle course in the least amount of time.

TSA Talk/Multimedia
Participants (one individual per chapter) design a stand-alone multimedia presentation to be used to solicit support from potential business and industry enterprises. Entrant creates a multimedia presentation that answers the question, "Why should I become a TSA business partner?"

Video Challenge
Participants (three teams per state) plan and produce a comprehensive storyboard, production plan, and videotape footage that can be used in the final production of a TSA informational video presentation.