|
Agriculture and Biotechnology Design
Participants (one team per chapter) 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.
Architectural Model
Participants (one individual or team per chapter)
develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual
architectural design challenge and construct an architectural model to
accurately depict their design. In 2006, participants design a retirement
home (maximum 1600 square feet) to accommodate an older couple downsizing
from a larger home.
Career Comparisons
Participants (one individual per chapter)
thoroughly research various technology-related careers that are associated
with one of the following technology areas: Bio-Technology,
Communications, Energy and Power, Engineering, Manufacturing, Medical,
Technology Education Teaching, and Transportation. After documenting the
research, each student submits a cover letter and resume for one of the
careers and completes a job application on site. Finalists also
participate in an on-site job interview.
Chapter Team (Written and Oral)
Participants (one team of six members per chapter)
take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to proceed to the
finals, in which they perform an opening ceremony, dispose of three items
of business, and perform a closing ceremony within a specified time
period.
Computer Aided Design 2D, Architectural
Participants (one individual per state) create
representations, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation
drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry.
Computer-Aided Design 3D, Engineering
Participants (one individual per state) create 3D
computer model(s) of an engineering or machine object, such as a machine
part, tool, device, or manufactured product. Students may be expected to
extract a 2D representation from their 3D model.
Computer Aided Design, Animation, Architectural
Participants (one individual per state) are given
a hard copy sketch from which to develop an animated technical drawing
using computer-aided design tools.
Computer-Aided Design Animation, Engineering
Participants (one individual per state) are given
a hard copy sketch from which to develop an animated technical drawing
using computer-aided design tools.
Construction Systems
Participants (one team of two members per
chapter) complete a written test that covers general construction systems
knowledge. Finalist teams demonstrate their knowledge by solving a
construction systems problem that is announced on site.
Cyberspace Pursuit
Participants (one team of three to five members per
chapter) are required to create and launch a World Wide Web site that
features the school’s technology education program, the TSA chapter, and
the chapter's solution to a technology design brief. Finalists take an
on-site oral examination that covers general knowledge of the World Wide
Web and their own site.
Desktop Publishing
Participants (one individual per state) develop a
notebook that includes a tri-fold pamphlet, a three-column newsletter, and
a poster. All participants (not just finalists) then work to solve an
on-site problem that demonstrates their abilities to use the computer to
design, edit, and print materials for publication.
Dragster Design
Participants (two individuals per chapter) design,
produce working drawings, and build a CO2-powered dragster.
Electronic Research and Experimentation
Participants (two teams per chapter) research,
plan, design, and construct an electronic device. Entries are evaluated on
quality of research, ingenuity and complexity of the device, and
effectiveness of the exhibit display.
Engineering Design
Participants (one team of three to five
members per chapter) work as part of a team to solve a design problem.
Through use of a model/prototype, display and design notebook, the team
explains in detail how it has solved the problem and the solution’s impact
on society and the environment. Finalists demonstrate the problem and
solution in a timed presentation.
Extemporaneous Presentation
Participants (one individual per chapter) give
a three to five minute speech fifteen minutes after having drawn a card on
which is written a technology or TSA topic for their speech.
Film Technology
Participants (three teams per state) develop a
film/video that focuses on a subject of their choice from one or more of
the following areas: the arts, social studies, science, or technology.
Possible subjects include but are not limited to social study
documentaries, nature films, advertisements, comedies, or dramas. Sound
may accompany the film/video.
Flight Endurance
Participants (limited to two individuals per
chapter) analyze flight principles with a rubber band-powered model
aircraft.
Imaging Technology
Participants (one individual per chapter) create and
present a static photographic display of prints they have taken and
processed during the current school year and that depict the current
year’s published theme. Ten qualifying finalists participate in an
on-site event in which they record images and prepare a storyboard for a
display of newsworthy TSA conference activities and events. The theme for
2006 is “Along the Road.”
Manufacturing Prototype
Participants (one team per chapter) design and
manufacture a prototype of a product and provide a description of how the
product could be manufactured in a state-of-the-art American industry.
The theme for 2006 is “a safety accessory for a child under the age of
five years with written instructions and appropriate marketing package.”
Medical Technology
Participants (one team, with two or more
members per chapter) conduct research on a contemporary medical technology
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.
Prepared Presentation
Participants (three individuals per state)
deliver an oral presentation that includes audio and/or visual enhancement
based on the theme for the current year’s conference. The 2006 theme is
“TSA, Pathway to Tomorrow.”
Promotional Graphics
Participants (two individuals per chapter) develop
and present a graphic design that can be used as a TSA recruitment tool
and that includes the theme for the next year’s conference. In 2006,
participants must include the theme for the 2007 conference, “TSA,
Breaking Down Boundaries.”
Robotics (Radio Control)
Participants (one team of two members per chapter)
design, fabricate, test, and demonstrate the use of a radio-controlled
robot that collects and distributes a load during a five minute
demonstration. Evaluation is based on performance, vehicle craftsmanship,
and documentation of design efforts.
Scientific and Technical Visualization (SCIVIS)
Participants (one team per chapter) develop a
visualization focusing on a subject or topic from one or more of the
following areas: technology, engineering, science, mathematics, social
studies, or the arts.
Structural Engineering
(one team of two members per chapter) Participants
work as part of a team, on site with supplied materials, to build a model
of a structure that is destructively tested to determine design
efficiency.
System Control Technology
Participants (one team of three members per state)
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 their
model-solution, and leave instructions for evaluators to operate the
device.
Technical Research and Report Writing
Participants (one individual per chapter) conduct
research in an announced technological area and, using 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
2006 is “Global Warming” with these subtopics: “Fact or Fiction,”
“Solutions,” and “Environmental Impact.”
Technical Sketching and Application
Participants (two individuals per chapter) complete
a written test in order to qualify as finalists. Finalists then
demonstrate their ability to solve an on-site engineering graphic problem
using standard drafting techniques.
Technological Systems
Participants (one team of two members per chapter)
work as part of a team to solve a given problem that involves
communication, transportation, construction, manufacturing, and/or
agriculture/biotech systems. Teams also develop a model, provide
documentation of their solution, and prepare a display. Finalists
demonstrate their solution in a timed presentation. The 2006 topic is
“Technology Solutions to Economic Problems.”
Technology Bowl (Written and Oral)
TSA chapter teams (one team of three members per
chapter) complete a written, objective test in order to qualify for oral
question/response, head-to-head team competition.
Technology Challenge Participants
(one team of two members per chapter) design,
fabricate, and demonstrate the application and control of mechanical,
fluid, and electrical power by designing a “Rube Goldberg device” that
applies power and energy principles. Evaluation is based upon exact
90-second duration from the release of the billiard ball to final
activation; application of mechanical, fluid, and electrical energy
principles; and craftsmanship.
Technology Problem Solving Participants
(one team of two members per chapter) use problem
solving skills and limited materials to develop a solution to a problem
given on site. Participants are required to work as a team to provide the
best solution, which is measured objectively.
Transportation Modeling
(one individual per chapter) Using only certain
materials and following required specifications, participants design and
produce, a CO2-powered scale model of a vehicle that fits the annual
design problem and that takes appearance and performance into
consideration. The problem for 2006 is to design an all-terrain vehicle
(ATV).
|
