Technology Student Association

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The Technology Student Association (TSA) is an international organization made up of technology education students from different schools and their advisors. Forty-eight of the U.S. states and a handful of other countries are members of the organization. A notable absence is California (home of Silicon Valley) because the California legislature has continually rejected efforts to allow Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) such as TSA, FBLA, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and others into the state. In addition to the states, Germany and more recently Peru have active chapters.

The largest delegations are generally Oklahoma, North Carolina (NCTSA), Mississippi, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania,and Florida. Both middle schools and high schools compete in many events (different for each level), competing against the other schools. The word "technology" in the name pertains not only to computers, as many would assume - instead, the term is much more inclusive, including such events as digital photography, aerodynamics (balsa wood planes and CO2-powered cars), and desktop publishing. However, website design, computer-aided drafting and design, and other computer-related events are also some of the organization's competitive events. Competitions also include such events as public speaking, parliamentary procedure, technical research, and general technology trivia; with the main focus on "learning to live in a technical world", TSA's official motto.

TSA is the "only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of technology education students and teachers." It is also largely student-run, with students campaigning to be elected to offices at the chapter, state, and national levels (with national office being the highest position; other countries are considered "states" because of their very small numbers).

The TSA website is almost yearly redone. Since National TSA removed the "Official" forums, an "Unofficial" place for discussion and co-mingling has been created. It is totally controlled, funded and supported by both past and present TSA members. The discussions range widely from irrelevant games to very helpful insight on popular competition events and provides members with a proving ground for discussion of their current ideas. All new members are welcome to join an participate openly! www.techstudentforums.com

Many individual chapters have their own websites. Performing a search on the web may reveal there is a local chapter in your area.

Every year TSA holds a national conference where students compete for coveted finalist pins. The election of national officers and the annual business meeting is held there. The 2007 Conference will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Gaylord Opryland hotel from June 24 to June 28, 2007.

Major national decisions, especially of financial nature, are made by the TSA, Inc. Board of Directors. Students are represented on the Board by the National TSA President, currently Trent Kissee and formerly Katy Galambos. The President of the Board of Directors is Sharon Rookard of Delaware. The TSA national office also runs a great deal of the day-to-day activities and is headed by Executive Director Dr. Rosanne White.