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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 2006, students choose one of
these careers: Video Game Designer, Construction Manager, Technology
Education Teacher, Forensic Scientist, Pipeline Welder.
Challenging Technology Issues
Participants (three teams of two members per state)
work together to present opposing views of a current technology issue
selected on site from a choice of three options. The opposing views might
include various approaches to the issue (historical, societal, moral,
financial, etc.), possible solutions, related topics, etc.
Chapter Team
Participants (one team of six members per chapter)
demonstrate their understanding of parliamentary procedure relative to
business meetings. The following actions are required: successfully
complete a written parliamentary procedures test in order to proceed to
the finals, perform an opening ceremony, and dispose of three items of
business within a specified time period.
Communication Challenge
Participants (one individual per chapter) design
and produce a newsletter that promotes the chapter’s activities, an
effective sponsor support request on chapter letterhead, and a business
card. Finalists produce a layout for a promotional item for a fictitious
company.
Computer Applications
Participants (three participant entries per state)
are required to complete a written exam covering basic computer literacy,
make appropriate computer hardware connections, and demonstrate the use of
software applications by completing an assigned task.
Construction Challenge
Participants (one team of two 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 to five members per
chapter) are required to design, build and launch a World Wide Web site
that features the school’s technology education program, the TSA chapter,
and the chapter’s ability to research topics pertaining to technology.
Digital Photography Challenge
Participants (three individuals per state) produce
and submit an album and an 8" x 10"collage of digital photographs
consisting of six color or black and white digital photographs that
present a single chapter activity/theme. Finalists produce three digital
photographs taken at the conference site that have been edited
appropriately for the on-site task.
Dragster Design Challenge
Participants (two
individually-produced dragsters per chapter, one entry per participant)
design, produce drawings for, and build a CO2- powered dragster utilizing
the materials designated by the rules and following the required
specifications.
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 members per chapter)
identify and research a specific environmental problem or issue that has
been influenced by advancements in technology. Students will present
their findings in the form of a multimedia presentation.
Flight Challenge
Participants (two individuals per chapter) study the
principles of flight and design in order to fabricate and test fly
gliders. Using materials provided, participants create a glider that
stays in flight for the greatest elapsed time. Gliders must be designed
to be launched from a catapult that is provided on site. The design
process is described in a portfolio that is submitted for evaluation.
Graphic Design Challenge
Participants (limited to two individuals per
chapter) plan and layout a graphic design that includes the theme for the
next year’s conference and that could be used in national TSA conference
publications. 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 with a minimum of
three individuals) investigate and determine the need for the invention of
a device, system or process. The invention may be groundbreaking, or it
can be an improvement to an existing device, system or process. The
invention may be an idea, in lieu of a working model. Team members will
present their idea for an invention using a stand-alone multimedia
presentation, documentation notebook, and a model or prototype. Finalists
will make an oral presentation about the invention to a panel of judges
who will act as a group of venture capitalists.
Leadership Challenge
Participants (one team of three individuals per
chapter) work in teams to develop a plan of action that addresses a
specific challenging situation provided on site. Under time constraints,
finalists develop a plan for a second situation and then make a team
presentation.
Manufacturing Challenge
Participants (one team of three individuals per
chapter) identify a consumer need and manufacture a marketable product.
The chapter submits documentation of chapter activities and two product
samples made during the manufacturing experience.
Marine Design Challenge
Participants (one team of two 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 seaport and incorporate information about that country into their
boat design and presentation.
Mechanical Challenge
Participants (one team of two individuals per
chapter) use problem solving skills to solve a challenge with simple
machines, and then design, fabricate, and demonstrate their solutions.
Participants design, assemble, and operate a mechanical device that
collects a variety of balls from a gaming court in the least possible
time. The mechanical device must use three or more of the six simple
machines to convert human force to the motion needed for collecting balls.
Medical Technology Challenge
Participants (one team of two or more students 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
Participant (one individual per chapter) delivers an
oral presentation that includes audio and/or visual enhancement and that
reflects the theme of the current conference. The topic is always the
theme for the current year’s national conference. For 2006, the theme is
“TSA, Pathway to Tomorrow.”
Problem Solving
Participants (one team of two individuals per
chapter) use their skills in problem solving to develop a finite solution
to a stated problem given on site. Participants work as a team to provide
the best solution, which is measured objectively.
Structural Challenge
Participants (one team of two members per chapter)
use basic engineering techniques to evaluate designs they have modeled and
tested. Each team researches, designs, and tests models to determine
superior engineering. Teams submit their models for destructive testing.
System Control Technology
Participants (one team of three 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, and they 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 individuals per chapter) develop
detailed sketches, plans, and technical specifications to document the
proposed solution to a specific technical design problem provided on site.
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 conduct research in two or three specified subtopics of a broader
technological area and, using the knowledge and resources gained through
that research, write a comprehensive report on the one subtopic that is
designated on site. The topic for the 2006 conference is “Global Warming”
with these subtopics: Fact or Fiction, Solution, Environmental Impact.
Technology Bowl Challenge
Participants (one team of three individuals per
chapter) are required to complete a written objective examination to
qualify for the oral question/response, head-to-head team competition
phase of the event.
Technology Transfer Challenge
Participants (one team per chapter, with a maximum
of six students; at least two other chapters must participate;
participating chapters do not have to be from the same state) design,
manufacture and package a marketable mass-produced product through a
collaborative effort. Two completed products will be included in the
display for this event.
Transportation Challenge
Participants (two individuals per chapter) design,
engineer, and fabricate a battery-powered all terrain vehicle that climbs
a hill in the shortest amount of time.
TSA Multimedia
Participants (one individual per chapter) create and
design a stand-alone multimedia presentation to promote TSA.
Video Challenge
Participants (three teams per state) develop and
submit a detailed storyboard, production plan, and finished video that
depicts the chapter’s involvement in TSA, technology education, or
community service.
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