Washington Technology Student Association

2011 TSA Competitive Event Descriptions

Architectural Model—Participants develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual architectural design challenge and construct an architectural model to accurately depict the design. In 2011, participants design a museum for manual arts, industrial arts, and technology education.

Biotechnology Design—Teams select a contemporary biotechnology problem that relates to the current year’s published area of focus and demonstrate understanding of it through documented research, the development of a solution, a display, and an effective multimedia presentation. If appropriate, a model or prototype of the solution may be included in the display. Participants may choose to recreate or simulate research that previously has been performed within the scientific community.
The biotechnology area of focus for 2011 is Genetic Engineering.

Career Comparisons— Participants thoroughly research various technology-related careers that are associated with one of the following technology areas: Biotechnology, Communications, Energy and Power, Engineering, Manufacturing, Medical Technology, Technology Education Teaching, Transportation, or Construction. After documenting the research, each student submits a cover letter and resume for the selected career and completes a formal job application. Semifinalists participate in an on-site mock interview.

Chapter Team (Written and Oral) — Teams of 6 members take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to proceed to the semifinals. Semifinalist teams 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 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 create a 3D computer model(s) of an engineering or machine object, such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product.

Construction Renovation— Teams develop a set of presentation boards to include plans, illustrations and finishes for a specified space. The solution must include all applicable construction systems. A specific design problem will be provided each year on the TSA website.

Debating Technological Issues— Team members will work together to prepare for a debate against a team from another chapter. The teams will be instructed to take either the pro or con side of the selected subtopic. 2011: Medical Technology, (See rules for subtopics)

Desktop Publishing— Participants develop a notebook, a tri-fold pamphlet, a three (3)-column newsletter, and a poster. All participants (not just semifinalists) then work to solve an on-site problem that demonstrates their abilities to use the computer to design, edit, and print materials for publication The theme for 2011 is A Whole New World.

Digital Video Production—Teams develop a digital video/film that focuses on the given year’s theme. Sound may accompany the film. The theme for 2011 is Drama. 

Dragster Design—Participants design, produce working drawings, and build a CO²-powered dragster.

Engineering Design— Participants 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. Semifinalists demonstrate the problem and solution in a timed presentation.

Essays on Technology—Participants conduct research in an announced technological area and, using the knowledge and personal insights gained from this research, write a persuasive essay on one subtopic selected from two or three related subtopics designated on site..The topic for 2011 is “The Effects of the Decline of Housing Development” (See rules for subtopics)

Extemporaneous Speech—Participants give a three (3) to five (5) minute speech fifteen (15) minutes after having drawn a card on which a technology or TSA topic for their speech is written.

Fashion Design— Participants research, develop, and create garment designs, garment mock-ups, and portfolios that reflect the current year’s published theme. Qualifying semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they present their potential garment designs to the judges on a TSA runway. The theme challenge for 2011 is to design two (2) costumes for a current Broadway play of the team’s choice.

Flight Endurance—Participants analyze flight principles with a rubber band powered model aircraft.

Future Technology Teacher—Participants research and select three accredited colleges or universities that offer technology education/engineering technology teacher preparation as a major. Each participant will write no more than one page explaining why s/he would like to become a technology education/engineering technology teacher and what would constitute success in the field. In addition, each participant will develop and present a one (1)-class period activity (with a lesson plan) using the ITEEA standards for technological literacy.

Manufacturing Prototype— Participants 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 product for 2011 is TSA officer symbols, plus the gavel and block.

Music Production— Participants produce a musical piece that is designed to be played during the national TSA Conference opening or closing general sessions. The musical piece should be energizing, interesting and of a spirit consistent with the Technology Student Association.

On-Demand Video— Participants write, shoot, and edit a sixty (60) second video during the conference in this on-site event. Required criteria, such as props and a line of dialogue, make the competition more challenging and will be revealed at the event orientation meeting.

Photographic Technology—Students capture images and process photographic and digital prints that depict the current year’s published theme. Qualifying semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they capture digital images and utilize multimedia software to prepare a storyboard/outline and media presentation of newsworthy TSA conference activities and events. The theme for 2011 is Doors.

Prepared Presentation— Participants deliver an oral presentation that includes audio and/or visual enhancement based on the theme for the current year’s conference. The theme for the 2010 conference is Snapshot of Innovation.

Promotional Graphics—Participants develop and present a graphic design that can be used to promote participation in TSA competitive events. The design will promote competitions offered in the TSA competitive events guide. Participants will choose one (1) of the three (3) competitions listed below for the given year.

For 2011 the options are: Dragster Design, CAD 2D Architecture, and Promotional Graphics

SciVis —SciVis refers to Scientific and Technical Visualization, the graphical representation of complex scientific concepts. Participants develop a visualization focusing on a subject or topic from one (1) or more of the following areas: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Structural Engineering—Participants (team of two members) 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.

Technical Sketching and Application— Participants complete a written test in order to qualify as semifinalists. Semifinalists then demonstrate their ability to solve on-site engineering graphics problems using standard drafting techniques.

Technology Bowl— Participants demonstrate knowledge of TSA leadership skills and the systems of technology by completing a written, objective test in order to qualify for oral question/response, head‑to‑head team competition.

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Technology Problem Solving—Participants (team of two members) 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—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 design theme for 2010 is a custom gulf cart.

Video Game Design— 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. The game should have high artistic, educational, and social value. A working, interactive game will be submitted on a DVD for evaluation.

VEX Robotics Challenge— Teams design and build a robot using the VEX Robotics System to complete a task in a head to head competition against another team.

Webmaster— Participants are required to design, build and launch a World Wide Web site that features the school’s career and technology education program, the TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research topics pertaining to technology. Conference semifinalists participate in an on-site interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website with an emphasis on Internet and web history, web design (school, chapter and design brief pages), and research about cutting edge advances in technology.

Washington State Only Events:

Technical Math Challenge—Participants demonstrate their ability to apply their mathematics skills to a technical problems and applications in an objective test.

Woodworking Design—Participants design and construct a wood working project and provide a description of how the product could be manufactured in a state-of-the-art American industry. Finalists take a written test on their knowledge of woodworking skills, safety, and techniques as well as take part in an oral interview/ presentation about their project. The product for 2011 is a product of their choosing that is no more than 30” square.

Construction Systems—Participants 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.