Technology Student Association
{{Short description|Student organization focused on STEM fields}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Technology Student Association
| logo_size = 550
| image = Technology_Student_Association_Emblem.svg
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| abbreviation = TSA
| formerly = American Industrial Arts Student Association (AIASA)
| formation = {{start date and age|1978}}
| extinction =
| type = Youth organization, Career and technical student organization
| status = 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
| purpose =
| headquarters = 1904 Association Drive Reston, Virginia
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| region = {{flag|United States|civil}}
| membership = 300,000+ students
3,500+ teachers
2,300+ chapters
| leader_title = National President
| leader_name = Lane Lamping
| leader_title2 = TSA Inc. Board President
| leader_name2 = B.J. Scott
| leader_title3 = Executive Director
| leader_name3 = Rosanne White
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| website = {{URL|https://tsaweb.org/}}
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The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national non-profit career and technical student organization (CTSO) of over 300,000 middle and high school student members engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). TSA's mission is to enhance personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in STEM, whereby members apply and integrate these concepts through intracurricular activities, competitions, and related programs.{{Cite web |title=About TSA |url=https://tsaweb.org/about |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=tsaweb.org}}
Competition
Competitive events are separated into middle school and high school levels, with students competing only with their respective age group. Competitions take place at the local, regional, state, and national level. A component of leadership is often entailed in events at both levels, with some events being devoted to leadership (such as Leadership Strategies MS).
All TSA competitions are correlated with national science, technology, engineering and mathematics and business standards. Sample middle school events include Biotechnology, Career Prep, Video Game Design, and Inventions and Innovations. High school events include Animatronics, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Dragster Design, Promotional Design, System Control Technology, Flight Endurance, Software Development, and Webmaster. For the 2022–2023 season Audio Podcasting, Drone Challenge (UAV), and Virtual Reality Visualization were added as high school events and the Cybersecurity event was removed.{{cite web|url=https://tsaweb.com/competitions-programs/tsa|title=TSA Competitions|publisher=Technology Student Association|work=TSAweb.org|access-date=2022-08-19}} For the 2024-2025 season, Robotics and STEM Mass Media were added as high school events and VEX Robotics and Essays on Technology were removed.{{Cite web |title=Email Sign Up |url=https://tsaweb.org/competitions#highschool |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Technology Student Association |language=en}}
Scores are based upon a nationally developed rubric. Winners are chosen based on these scores. In many events, semi-finalists (top 12) move onto a second round of competition which usually involves an interview with the judges about the project. First, second, and third-place winners are awarded a trophy, and finalists (top 10) are recognized at the national level.
=Program initiatives=
The Technology Student Association has partnered with many groups to promote other skills. Junior Solar Sprint is a national program allows students to design solar-powered cars. Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) is an annual one-day competition.{{cite web |url=http://teams.tsaweb.org/|title=TEAMS|publisher=Technology Student Association|access-date=2017-06-15}} TSA has partnered with the VEX Robotics Competition to allow students to design and create robots to complete specific tasks.{{cite web |url=http://www.tsaweb.org/Vex-Robotics-Competition|title=VEX Robotics Competition|publisher=Technology Student Association |access-date=2017-06-15}} UNITE is a summer program funded by the U.S. Army Research Office that encourages high school students to pursue engineering careers.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsaweb.org/TSA-UNITE|title=UNITE Program|publisher=Technology Student Association|access-date=2017-06-15}} Every TSA middle school and high school member is required to submit LEAP (Leadership. Education. Achievement. Personal Growth.) documentation as part of every competition in which they compete. LEAP documentation tracks the leadership activities and experiences a TSA member has completed as part of each competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsaweb.org/LEAP-competition-engagement|title=UNITE Program|publisher=Technology Student Association|access-date=2017-11-28}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsaweb.org/History |title=History |publisher=Technology Student Association |work=TSAweb.org |date=1995-04-24 |access-date=2010-08-20}}
In 1988, the AIASA changed its name to the Technology Student Association as part of a shift in focus from industrial arts to mainstream technology. This action followed a similar name change by the Texas state delegation the previous year. In 1989, the official logo, submitted by a chapter advisor, was adopted. In 1990, the logo received a trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Today, the association has grown to include more than 300,000 members in more than 2,300 secondary schools across 48 states.{{Cite web|title=Facts|url=https://tsaweb.org/about/about-tsa/facts|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828011228/https://tsaweb.org/about/about-tsa/facts|archive-date=2020-08-28|access-date=2020-08-28|website=tsaweb.org}} It has established an Honor Society, manages numerous competitive events and has partnerships with several organizations. Since TSA was chartered in 1978, more than five million students have participated as members.
As part of its national service project, TSA has a partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS). TSA members raise money to help fund research, education, advocacy, and patient support. The ACS presents Spirit of Service awards to chapters that participate in fundraising.{{Cite web|title=National Service Project|url=https://tsaweb.org/resources/student-members/national-service-project|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828012805/https://tsaweb.org/resources/student-members/national-service-project|archive-date=2020-08-28|access-date=2020-08-28|website=tsaweb.org}}
National conferences
Students elect a National Officer team annually at the Technology Student Association national conference.{{cite web | last=Rice | first=Mark | title=First Columbus teen to attain this national office started his path with a failure | website=Columbus Ledger-Enquirer | date=2018-09-13 | url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article217625145.html | access-date=2023-08-15}} The 2023 national conference was held at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky.{{cite web |title=2023 National TSA Conference |url=https://tsaweb.org/events-conferences/calendar/2023/06/28/default-calendar/2022-national-tsa-conference |access-date=2022-08-19 |publisher=Technology Student Association}} The 2024 national conference was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.{{cite web|url=https://tsaweb.org/docs/default-source/national-conference/2023/2023-post-conf-press-release.pdf?sfvrsn=cee45c61_2|title=TSA Student Members Embrace the 2023 National TSA Conference Theme, "A Legacy of Innovation"}} The 2025 national conference will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.{{Cite web |title=Email Sign Up |url=https://tsaweb.org/conferences/2025-national-tsa-conference |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Technology Student Association |language=en}}
Notable alumni
- Hunter Hayes - Country singer and music star, Tennessee TSA{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
- Andy Hertzfeld - Member of the original Macintosh development team and computer entrepreneur{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
- Chad Hurley - Co-founder of YouTube, Pennsylvania TSA{{cite web|url=http://londonspeakerbureau.com/speakers/chad-hurley/|title=Chad Hurley|publisher=London Speaker Bureau|access-date=2017-06-15}}
- Sal Khan - Founder of Khan Academy, Louisiana TSA{{cite web|url=http://sbhstsa.wixsite.com/sbhstsa/alumni|title=Notable Alumni|publisher=Stone Bridge TSA|date=2016|access-date=2017-06-15}}
- Carrie Underwood - Country singer and music star, Oklahoma TSA{{cite web|url=http://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2014/03/12/im_americas_stem_future_but_i_also_need_americas_help_896.html|title=I'm America's STEM Future, But I Also Need America's Help For That Future|first=Joshua|last=Matthew|date=2014-03-12|access-date=2017-06-15|publisher=Real Clear Education}}
- Rep. Maxwell Frost - United States Congressman (FL-10), Florida TSA{{Cite web |date=2013 |title=2013 National TSA Conference Results |url=https://www.thinkregistration.com/tsa1213/results.aspx |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Florida TSA.org}}