The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national, non-profit organization of middle and high school students who have a strong interest in technology. TSA was chartered in 1978 and since then over 2,000,000 students have participated in its program.  Members learn through challenging competitions, leadership activities and community service. Information is available at www.tsaweb.org.

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, competitions and related programs.

Membership   

TSA provides rules and guidelines to its student members and advisors for 30 middle school level and 34 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 areas. All competitions are aligned with STEM standards, the 16 Career Clusters, and ten core leadership skills (communication, creative thinking, critical thinking, decision making, ethics, evaluation, organization, problem solving, self-esteem, and teamwork).

Program Initiatives

Junior Solar Sprint –  A national STEM based program empowering teachers, mentors and other community members to engage 4^th – 8^th grade youth in designing, building and racing model solar cars.

TEAMS – (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) –  An annual STEM competition providing students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to discover engineering. Students work together and use the practical applications of math and science to answer engineering questions about everyday world challenges.

TSA VEX Robotics Competition – An engaging competition 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.

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

Verizon Innovative App Challenge - provides the opportunity for middle school and high school students to use their STEM knowledge, their ingenuity, and their creativity to come up with a mobile app concept that meets the needs of their school or community. The goal of the challenge is to provide an engaging and empowering learning experience to increase student interest and knowledge in STEM and mobile technology fields.

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)

Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

American Cancer Society (TSA’s national service project partner)

TSA is a non-partisan, non-sectarian 501(c) 3 national association of STEM students.     2012/13