Technology Student Association
 |
|
| Abbreviation | TSA |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Learning to lead in a technical world." |
| Formation | 1978 |
| Type | Youth organization, Career and technical student organization |
| Legal status | Non-profit organization |
| Headquarters | Reston, VA |
|
Region served
|
 United States Germany Turkey Peru
|
|
Membership
|
300,000 2,200 (Chapters) |
|
Official language
|
English |
| Website | TSAweb.org |
The Technology Student Association (TSA) is an international student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as business education.TSA aims to develop leadership, academic, and business management skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community. TSA’s membership includes over 300,000 middle and high school students in 2,200 schools spanning 3 countries, making it the second largest CTSO club.
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, state, regional and national level. A component of leadership is often entailed in events at both levels, with some events being devoted to leadership (such as the Leadership Challenge).
All TSA competitions are correlated with national science, technology, engineering and mathematics and business standards. Expert judging by technology educators and industry representatives inspires the best from participants. Sample middle school events include Agriculture and Biotechnology Issues, Career Prep, Electronic Gaming and Go Green Manufacturing. High school events include Animatronics, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Dragster Design, Promotional Design, System Control Technology, Flight Endurance, Software Development, and Desktop Publishing. Scores are out of 100 points and 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.
Matthew J. Pinto founded the organization in Berlin. During the Berlin Wall Crisis, Matthew J. Pinto started up the organization to help motivate children and distract them from the situation at that time. 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.
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 over 300,000 members in 2,500 secondary schools across 48 states. It has established an Honor Society, manages numerous competitive events and has partnerships with several organizations.
...
Wikipedia