Technology Student Association

TSA Facts

THE ASSOCIATION
The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national, non-profit organization for middle and high school students with a strong interest in technology. Since TSA was chartered in 1978 over 2,000,000 students have participated.

MEMBERSHIP
180,000 middle and high school students
100% likely to graduate from high school
35% female and/or minority representation
2,500 teachers and advisors
75% college-bound
2,000 plus schools in 48 state delegations

MISSION
The Technology Student Association fosters personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in technology, innovation, design, and engineering. Members apply and integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts through co-curricular activities, competitive events and related programs.

Competitions

TSA provides rules and guidelines to its student members and advisors for thirty-two middle school level and thirty-three high school level competitive events. Competitions feature problems in communications, design and engineering, environmental systems, manufacturing/construction, and transportation. In both team and individual events, students are challenged to use and improve their skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas. All competitions are aligned with STEM standards, The 16 Career Clusters (State’s Career Clusters Initiative), and ten core leadership skills (communication, creative thinking, critical thinking, decision making, ethics, evaluation, organization, problem solving, self-esteem, and teamwork).

Initiatives

Engineering Alliance – Engineering Alliance offers a series of classroom level competitions and leadership development activities designed specifically for Project Lead The Way (PLTW)-affiliated middle and high school pre-engineering instructional programs. Engineering Alliance is a partnership program of PLTW, TSA and SkillsUSA.

TSA VEX Robotics Competition – This competition provides an engaging platform through which students are exposed to the latest in robotics education, and concurrently, to opportunities that will further their knowledge in STEM areas. The TSA VEX Robotics Competition is made possible through funding from VEX Robotics, Inc.

TEAMS - (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) is an annual high school competition that challenges students to work collaboratively as they apply their math and science knowledge in practical, creative ways to solve real everyday engineering problems.

UNITE - A four to six week summer program that encourages high school students to pursue engineering careers, is funded by the U.S. Army Research Office. Through hands-on activities and team-based learning students explore the connections between math, science and real-world applications.

JSS - (Junior Solar Sprint) – This program empowers teachers, mentors and other community members to engage 4th – 8th grade youth in designing, building and racing model solar cars.

Recognition and Affiliation

U.S. Department of Education; state departments of education; local education agencies

National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA)

Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE);

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO)

Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education (TCEB)

Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

TSA is a non-partisan, non-sectarian 501(c)3 national association of students interested in technology Feb., 2012