Middle School Competitive Events Overview

 

Flight  

Participants (two individuals per chapter, one entry each) study the principles of flight and design in order to fabricate (using materials provided) and test-fly gliders. Gliders must be designed to be launched from a catapult that is provided on site. Flight duration of the gliders and documentation of the design process are the primary elements of the evaluation.

UPDATE - The gliders will be constructed at the conference, as described in the current Middle School Competitive Events Guide. As indicated in that Guide, students should use "super glue" (Cyanoacrylate) in order to ensure that the gliders will be ready for flight after the construction period.

Global Manufacturing 

Participants [one team (of no more than six students) formed from the three TSA chapters involved] 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.

UPDATE - This competition requires that at least three chapters work together. Chapters wishing to participate in this competition will be responsible for finding the requisite partner chapters on their own. Each chapter would then register separately in the online registration system. One of the involved advisors should then email stemmetje@gmail.com no later than 11:00 PM on Monday, March 8, 2010 MST indicating which chapters will be working together.

Go Green Manufacturing  

Participants (one team of at least three individuals per chapter, one entry per team) design and manufacture a product using recycled material that has been donated from business or industry. The chapter submits documentation of chapter activities and two product samples made during the manufacturing experience.

Graphic Design  

Participants (two individuals per chapter, one entry per individual) create and produce a graphic design that is appropriate for national TSA conference publications and other small promotional items. In a given year the design must promote the theme for the next year’s national TSA conference.

Theme: Snapshot of Innovation

Inventions and Innovations 

Participants [one team (with a minimum of three individuals) per chapter, one entry per team] investigate and determine the need for the invention or innovation of a device, system or process. Team members will 1) create a prototype or model, 2) develop a stand-alone multimedia presentation and 3) document work completed as they prepare to promote and demonstrate their idea for the invention or innovation. Semifinalists make an oral presentation to a panel of judges who will act as a group of venture capitalists interested in providing funding for the development of the idea.

Leadership Strategies 

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, semifinalists develop a plan for a second situation and then make a team presentation.

Lights, Camera, Action 

Participants [three teams (a team may be an individual or a group) 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.

Theme: Energy Efficiency in Your Community

Medical Technology Issues 

Participants [three teams per state (two or more participants per team), one entry per team] conduct research on a contemporary medical technology issue of their choosing, document their research, and create a display. The information gathered 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.

Multimedia Production 

Participants (one individual per chapter, one entry per individual) create and design a stand-alone multimedia presentation to promote TSA.

Theme: What is TSA? (Presentation should be designed to inform school administrators)

Prepared Speech 

Participants (one individual per chapter) develop and deliver an oral presentation that reflects the theme of the current year’s national conference.

Theme: TSA: Tomorrow’s Leaders

Problem Solving 

Participants (one team of two individuals per chapter) use problem solving skills 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.

Robot TOBOR 

Participants(one team of two members per chapter, one entry per team) design, fabricate, test, record the design and work efforts for, and demonstrate the use of a remote-controlled robot that can complete a course and perform a designated task.

Problem: The course for the robot in 2010 is to travel up a ramp to a designated location on a stage, turn toward the audience, move to another location on the stage, wait for the award announcement, accept the award by picking it up, and then exit the stage by traveling down the stage on the opposite side ramp.

System Control Technology 

Participants (one team of three members per state, one entry per team) develop a computer-controlled model solution to a problem provided on site. Typically, the problem is a scenario of a situation in an industrial setting that requires a solution. Teams analyze the problem, build a computer controlled mechanical model, program the model, explain the program and mechanical features of the model-solution, and leave instructions for operating the device.

Tech Bowl  

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.

Technical Drawing 

Participants (two individuals per chapter) demonstrate the ability to read and interpret technical sketches, drawings, and the use of materials when they complete a technical design and illustration test. Semifinalists demonstrate their ability to solve an on-site technical design problem using standard sketching, drafting, and problem-solving techniques.

Techno Talk 

Participants (two teams of two members each per state) demonstrate the ability to work together in teams of randomly paired students in order to build and replicate a structure using limited communication.

UPDATE - This competition requires that each chapter's two-member team be randomly paired with another at the conference. We will only be able to conduct this competition if we have at least two chapters completing at the conference.

Transportation Challenge  

Participants (two individuals per chapter, one entry per individual) design, engineer, and fabricate a battery-powered vehicle that covers a course in the shortest amount of time.

TSA Cup: Marine Design 

Participants (one team of at least two individuals per chapter, one entry per team) develop a model of a propeller-driven race boat (that has an affiliation with a country) that is tested and raced in a water tank. Participants construct a display that features the team’s chosen country and its boat.

Problem: Design and construct a model propeller-driven offshore vee hull racing boat.

Website Design 

Participants (one team of three to five members per chapter, one entry per team) are required to design, build and launch a World Wide Web site that features the team’s research about a cutting edge science, technology, engineering or mathematics-related topic. Pre-conference semifinalists participate in an on-site interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website.

To obtain the design brief, visit the TSA website at www.tsaweb.org and click on Competitive Events

UPDATE - All websites must be posted online on a publicly-available web server. The URL for each chapter's entry must be emailed to stemmetje@gmail.com no later than 11:00 PM on Monday, March 8, 2010 MST.

Write Now! Technical Writing 

Participants (three individuals per state) conduct research on 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.

Problem: Globalization
Subtopics: ... and the environment
... and the economy
... and society

ZAP IT! Electrical Applications 

Participants (two individuals per chapter) demonstrate knowledge of basic electrical and electronic theory through a written test. Semifinalists assemble a specific circuit from a schematic diagram (using a kit provided), make required electrical measurements and explain their solution during an interview.