Events
• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
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EA-1
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EA-2
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Desktop Publishing• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• SciVis• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design
EA-3
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• Career Preparation• Future Technology Teacher• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Problem Solving
EA-4
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EA-5
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• Chapter Team• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Debating Technological Issues• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Future Technology Teacher• Technology Bowl
EA-6
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• Chapter Team• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Prepared Presentation• Video Game Design
EA-7
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EA-8
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Manufacturing Prototype• Structural Design and Engineering• Technical Sketching and Application• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EA-9
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Manufacturing Prototype• Structural Design and Engineering• Technical Sketching and Application• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EA-10
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• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Future Technology Teacher• On Demand Video• Technology Problem Solving
EA-11
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• Career Preparation• Children’s Stories• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Future Technology Teacher
EA-12
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EC-1
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EC-2
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Manufacturing Prototype• SciVis• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Transportation Modeling
EC-3
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Prepared Presentation• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling
EC-5
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Flight Endurance
• Manufacturing Prototype• Prepared Presentation• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling
EC-6
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EC-7
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Manufacturing Prototype• On Demand Video• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
EC-8
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Manufacturing Prototype• Transportation Modeling
EC-9
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• Career Preparation• Debating Technological Issues• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Future Technology Teacher• Prepared Presentation
EC-10
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• Career Preparation• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Future Technology Teacher
EC-11
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
FET-1
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
FET-2
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
FET-3
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• Biotechnology Design• Essays on Technology• Manufacturing Prototype• Structural Design and Engineering• Technology Problem Solving
FET-5
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Flight Endurance
• Manufacturing Prototype• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling
FET-6
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
FET-7
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• Biotechnology Design• Debating Technological Issues• Engineering Design
• Manufacturing Prototype• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Problem Solving
FET-8
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
FET-9
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
FET-10
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
RDPM-1
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Chapter Team• Children’s Stories• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Software Development• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Bowl• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design• Webmaster
RDPM-2
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• Animatronics• Architectural Renovation• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Production• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Digital Video Production• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Music Production• On Demand Video• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis
RDPM-3
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• Animatronics• Biotechnology Design• Dragster Design• Engineering Design• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Manufacturing Prototype• Structural Design and Engineering• Transportation Modeling• Video Game Design
RDPM-4
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• Biotechnology Design• Career Preparation• Debating Technological Issues• Desktop Publishing• Engineering Design• Essays on Technology• Extemporaneous Speech• Fashion Design• Flight Endurance
• Future Technology Teacher• Manufacturing Prototype• Photographic Technology• Prepared Presentation• Promotional Graphics• SciVis• Structural Design and Engineering• System Control Technology• Technical Sketching and Application• Technology Problem Solving• Transportation Modeling• Webmaster
ANIMATRONICS
Animatronics refers to a robotic device that emulates a human oran animal, or brings an inanimate object “to life.” Disney and SixFlags theme parks use animatronics in some of their attractions.Participants will produce an animatronics device complete withan appropriate display. The animatronics device must use controltechnology in its performance. The device must not suggest anythingthat is inappropriate by language, sound, or movements. Evaluationis based on performance, device artisanship, and documentation ofdesign efforts.
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ARCHITECTURAL RENOVATION
Participants develop a set of architectural plans and related
materials for an annual architectural renovation design challenge
and construct a physical, as well as a computer-generated model,
to accurately depict their design. The design problem for the current
school year will be posted on the TSA website under Competitions/
Themes and Problems.
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BIOTECHNOLOGY DESIGN
Participants select a contemporary biotechnology problem thatrelates to the current year’s published area of focus and demonstrateunderstanding of it through documented research, the developmentof a solution, a display, and an effective multimedia presentation. Amodel or prototype of the solution must be included in the display.Participants may choose to recreate or simulate research thatpreviously has been performed within the scientific community.
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CAREER PREPARATION
During the school year, participants research technology-related
careers designated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as falling
in the top ten employment growth areas. Participants research and
prepare a resume and cover letter for each of the careers noted.
Semifinalists participate in an on-site job interview related to one of
the careers.
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CHAPTER TEAM
Participants take a written parliamentary procedures test in order to
qualify for the semifinals, where they perform an opening ceremony,
dispose of three (3) items of business, and perform a closing
ceremony within a specified time period.
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CHILDREN’S STORIES
A team creates an illustrated children’s story of high artistic,instructional, and social value. The story may be written in proseor poetry and take the form of a fable, adventure story, or otherstructure. The narrative, along with the accompanying illustrations,is to result in an experience that delights, enlightens, and helps inthe wholesome development of a child.The story must have a Science, Technology, Engineering, andMathematics (STEM) focus. There are many, many themes toconsider. For example, from the sciences one could create a storyabout dinosaurs, the oceans or their extraordinary sea life, a singlecell animal, or our solar system and beyond. From technology andengineering one could concentrate on the impacts of technologyin our lives, or the environment, the building of ancient andcontemporary monuments, or how something works. And, frommathematics one could write about numbers and shapes and themany mathematical designs found in nature and the industrial world.
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COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN(CAD) 2D, ARCHITECTUREParticipants create representations, such as
foundation and/or floor
plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural
ornamentation or cabinetry.
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COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN(CAD) 3D, ENGINEERINGParticipants create a 3D computer model(s)
of an engineering
or machine object, such as a machine part, tool, device, or
manufactured product.
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COMPUTER NUMERICAL CONTROL(CNC) PRODUCTIONParticipants design, fabricate, and demonstrate their ability
to usea CNC (computer numerical control) machine to produce a
devicebased on an annual problem posted on the TSA website
underCompetitions/Themes and Problems. Documentation and
two (2)machined samples are checked in and evaluated. Teams
return foran assembly session of their entry, using the tools in their
tool box,and immediately demonstrate their device.
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DEBATINGTECHNOLOGICAL ISSUESTeam members work together to prepare for a debate against ateam from another chapter. The teams will be instructed to takeeither the Pro or Con side of the selected subtopic.The theme for 2015 is: One-to-one laptops/devices for students inpublic educationSubtopic 1: Should schools purchase devices (laptops/other) forall students in K-12 education?Subtopic 2: Is the cost of devices for all K-12 students worth theinvestment?Subtopic 3: If one-to-one devices are purchased for K-12students, how can faculty/staff ensure they will only be used foreducational purposes?The theme for 2016 is: Required Science, Technology, Engineering,and Mathematics (STEM) courses for high school studentsSubtopic 1: What are the pros and cons of requiring STEMclasses for high school students across the nation?Subtopic 2: Are STEM classes more important than otherdisciplines/classes (e.g, language arts, history, fine arts) forhigh school students?Subtopic 3: Should the successful completion of STEM classesbe mandatory for high school graduation?
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DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Participants produce a portfolio containing a news release, a three(3)-column newsletter, and a poster. Each of these publicationsis designed to stimulate interest in, create awareness of, andencourage participation in a national charity, community serviceorganization, or local fundraising initiative. The news release andposter should foster curiosity that leads to learning more detailsabout the selected initiative. The three (3)-column newsletter(8½" x 11" trifold) should inform readers of the cause, explainactivities that reflect involvement, and provide details about howindividuals can become involved.Semifinalists work to solve an on-site problem that demonstratestheir ability to use the computer to design and edit materials for inhousepublication.
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DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION
• Participants develop a digital video that focuses on the given year’s
• theme. Sound should accompany the video.
• The theme for 2015 is Cyber Spying.
• The theme for 2016 is Stopping Social Media Bullying.
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DRAGSTER DESIGN
Participants design, produce working drawings for, and build a
CO2-powered dragster.
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ENGINEERING DESIGN
Participants work as part of a team to design and fabricate a devicethat will meet the specific needs of a person with a disability. Thefocus will be on the design process; participants should incorporateinnovation into their entry/solution. Through use of a model/prototype, display, and portfolio, participants document and justifytheir approach and reasoning in identifying a problem and theirsolution’s direct impact on a member of their community and onsociety. Semifinalists justify and demonstrate their solution to theiridentified problem in a timed presentation.
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ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY
Participants will write a synthesis essay to make insightful
connections based on a current technological topic.
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EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH
Participants give a three-to-five (3-5) minute speech fifteen (15)
minutes after having drawn a card on which a technology or TSA
topic for their speech is written.
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FASHION DESIGN
Students have the opportunity to research, develop, and create
garment designs, garment mock-ups, and portfolios that reflect the
current year’s published theme. Twelve (12) qualifying semifinalist
teams participate in an on-site event in which they present their
garment designs to the judges.The theme for the current year will be published on the TSA
website,under Competitions/Themes and Problems.
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FLIGHT ENDURANCE
Participants analyze flight principles with a rubber band powered
model aircraft
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FUTURETECHNOLOGY TEACHERParticipants research and select three (3) accredited colleges oruniversities that offer technology education teacher preparationas a major. Each participant will write no more than one (1) page(simulated college essay) explaining why s/he would like to becomea technology educator and what would constitute success in thefield. In addition, each participant will develop and present to judgesa ten (10)-minute lesson plan, using the International Technologyand Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) standards fortechnological literacy.
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MANUFACTURING PROTOTYPE
Participants design and manufacture a prototype of a product andprovide a description of how the product could be manufactured in astate-of-the-art American manufacturing facility.The product for 2015 is a child’s pull toy.The product for 2016 is a device to hold supplies for a person whouses a wheelchair.An appropriate marketing package should accompany each product.The product marketing package should not include the use of anycopyrighted characters or images.
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MUSIC PRODUCTION
Participants produce an original 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.
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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.
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PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY
Students capture images and process photographic and digital
prints that depict the current year’s published theme. Twelve (12)
qualifying semifinalists participate in an on-site event in which they
capture digital images and utilize multimedia software to prepare
and develop a media presentation during the annual conference.
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PREPARED PRESENTATION
Participants deliver an oral presentation that includes a visual
enhancement based on the theme for the current year’s conference.
The theme for Prepared Presentation will reflect the current
national TSA conference theme. See the national TSA website at
www.tsaweb.org.
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PROMOTIONAL GRAPHICS
Participants will act as freelance designers to develop and present
a graphic design that can be used to promote participation in TSArelated
interests.For 2015 the challenge is to create a promotional design to
informand encourage participation in TSA’s official community
serviceproject – the American Cancer Society (ACS).For 2016 the challenge is to create a design that promotesteaching technology and engineering as a career, recruitinghigh school students or undeclared college students.
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SCIVIS
Scientific and Technical Visualization, otherwise known as SciVis,uses the computer to display and animate three-dimensional (3-D)real world objects that cannot normally be seen, such as the shapesof molecules, weather patterns, or fluid dynamics. SciVis is the 3-Danimated graphical representation of complex scientific concepts.Participants develop a Scientific and Technical Visualizationfocusing on a topic from one (1) or more of the following subjectareas: science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
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SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Participants work as part of a team to participate in the development,
debugging, and documentation of a software design project using
freely available software development toolkits. Through a multimedia
presentation and entrant documentation, the team demonstrates
its knowledge of the software development process. The project
should have educational or social value. Semifinalists demonstrate
and promote their work in a timed presentation.
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STRUCTURAL DESIGN ANDENGINEERINGParticipants work as a team to build a designated structure. Theteam applies the principles of structural design and engineeringthrough research, design, construction, destructive testing, andassessment, to determine the design efficiency of the structure.Details about the designated structure and any necessaryinformation related to the structure will be posted on the TSA websiteunder Competitions/Themes and Problems. The on-site semifinalistconstruction problem will be a variation of the posted design.
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SYSTEM CONTROL TECHNOLOGYParticipants work as part of a team on site to
develop a computercontrolled
model-solution to a problem, typically one from an
industrial setting. Teams analyze the problem, build a computercontrolled
mechanical model, program the model, explain the
program and mechanical features of the model-solution, and leave
instructions for evaluators to operate the device.
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TECHNICAL SKETCHINGAND APPLICATIONParticipants 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.
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TECHNOLOGY BOWL
Participants complete a written, objective test in order to qualify for
oral question/response, head‑to‑head team competition.
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TECHNOLOGYPROBLEM SOLVINGParticipants work together to develop and
create a solution to a
problem using the limited materials provided and the tools allowed.
Completed solutions will be objectively measured and judged to
determine the best and most effective solution for the stated problem.
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TRANSPORTATION MODELING
Using only designated materials and following required specifications,
participants design and produce a scale model of a vehicle that fits
the annual design problem and that takes appearance and realism
into consideration.The design problem for 2015 is helicopters.The design problem for 2016 is riding
lawnmowers.
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VIDEO GAME DESIGN
Participants develop an E+10 game that focuses on the subject
of their choice. The game should be interesting, exciting, visually
appealing, and intellectually challenging, with high artistic,
educational, and social value. The game must be appropriate for
the TSA community, and in good taste. A working, interactive game
will be submitted on a DVD for evaluation.
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WEBMASTER
Participants are required to design, build, and launch a website thatfeatures the school’s career and technology/engineering program,the TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research and presenta given topic pertaining to technology (referred to as the “designbrief”). Conference semifinalists participate in an on-site interviewto demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during thedevelopment of the website - with an emphasis on web designmethods and practices, as well as their research for the annualdesign topic.
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