1. The Assignment I Do Not Like By: PPT Man & Dr. X

2. Animatronics Refers to a robotic device that emulates a human or an animal, or brings an inanimate object “to life.” Disney and Six Flags theme parks use animatronics in some of their attractions. Participants will produce an animatronics device complete with an appropriate display. The animatronics device must use control technology in its performance. The device must not suggest anything that is inappropriate by language, sound, or movements. Evaluation is based on performance, device artisanship, and documentation of design efforts.

3. 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.

4. BIOTECHNOLOGY DESIGN Participants select a contemporary biotechnology problem that relates to the current year’s published area of focus and demonstrate understanding of it through documented research, the development of a solution, a display, and an effective multimedia presentation. A model or prototype of the solution must be included in the display. Participants may choose to recreate or simulate research that previously has been performed within the scientific community. The topic for the current school year will be posted on the TSA website under Competitions/Themes and Problems.

5. 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. Participants research each of the careers noted in the specified year. 2015: Aeronautical engineer Computer information security specialist professional (CISSP) Geographic Information System (GIS) analyst 2016: Manufacturing engineer Web developer Data communication analyst

6. 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.

7. CHILDREN’S STORIES A team creates an illustrated children’s story of high artistic, instructional, and social value. The story may be written in prose or poetry and take the form of a fable, adventure story, or other structure. The narrative, along with the accompanying illustrations, is to result in an experience that delights, enlightens, and helps in the wholesome development of a child. The story must have a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) focus. There are many, many themes to consider. For example, from the sciences one could create a story about dinosaurs, the oceans or their extraordinary sea life, a single cell animal, or our solar system and beyond. From technology and engineering one could concentrate on the impacts of technology in our lives, or the environment, the building of ancient and contemporary monuments, or how something works. And, from mathematics one could write about numbers and shapes and the many mathematical designs found in nature and the industrial world.

8. COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (CAD) 2D, ARCHITECTURE Participants create representations, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry.

9. COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (CAD) 3D, ENGINEERING Participants create a 3D computer model(s) of an engineering or machine object, such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product.

10. COMPUTER NUMERICAL CONTROL (CNC) PRODUCTION Participants design, fabricate, and demonstrate their ability to use a CNC (computer numerical control) machine to produce a device based on an annual problem posted on the TSA website under Competitions/Themes and Problems. Documentation and two (2) machined samples are checked in and evaluated. Teams return for an assembly session of their entry, using the tools in their tool box, and immediately demonstrate their device.

11. DEBATING TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES Team members work together to prepare for a debate against a team from another chapter. The teams will be instructed to take either the Pro or Con side of the selected subtopic. The theme for 2015 is: One-to-one laptops/devices for students in public education Subtopic 1: Should schools purchase devices (laptops/other) for all students in K- 12 education? Subtopic 2: Is the cost of devices for all K-12 students worth the investment? Subtopic 3: If one-to-one devices are purchased for K-12 students, how can faculty/staff ensure they will only be used for educational purposes? The theme for 2016 is: Required Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses for high school students Subtopic 1: What are the pros and cons of requiring STEM classes for high school students across the nation? Subtopic 2: Are STEM classes more important than other disciplines/classes (e.g, language arts, history, fine arts) for high school students? Subtopic 3: Should the successful completion of STEM classes be mandatory for high school graduation?

12. DESKTOP PUBLISHING Participants produce a portfolio containing a news release, a three (3)-column newsletter, and a poster. Each of these publications is designed to stimulate interest in, create awareness of, and encourage participation in a national charity, community service organization, or local fundraising initiative. The news release and poster should foster curiosity that leads to learning more details about the selected initiative. The three (3)-column newsletter (8½" x 11" trifold) should inform readers of the cause, explain activities that reflect involvement, and provide details about how individuals can become involved. Semifinalists work to solve an on-site problem that demonstrates their ability to use the computer to design and edit materials for inhouse publication.

13. 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.

14. DRAGSTER DESIGN Participants design, produce working drawings for, and build a CO2-powered dragster.

15. ENGINEERING DESIGN Participants work as part of a team to design and fabricate a device that will meet the specific needs of a person with a disability. The focus will be on the design process; participants should incorporate innovation into their entry/solution. Through use of a model/ prototype, display, and portfolio, participants document and justify their approach and reasoning in identifying a problem and their solution’s direct impact on a member of their community and on society. Semifinalists justify and demonstrate their solution to their identified problem in a timed presentation.

16. ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY Participants will write a synthesis essay to make insightful connections based on a current technological topic.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. FLIGHT ENDURANCE Participants analyze flight principles with a rubber band powered model aircraft.

20. FUTURE TECHNOLOGY TEACHER Participants research and select three (3) accredited colleges or universities that offer technology education teacher preparation as a major. Each participant will write no more than one (1) page (simulated college essay) explaining why s/he would like to become a technology educator and what would constitute success in the field. In addition, each participant will develop and present to judges a ten (10)-minute lesson plan, using the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) standards for technological literacy.

21. MANUFACTURING PROTOTYPE Participants design and manufacture a prototype of a product and provide a description of how the product could be manufactured in a state-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 who uses a wheelchair. An appropriate marketing package should accompany each product. The product marketing package should not include the use of any copyrighted characters or images.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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 inform and encourage participation in TSA’s official community service project – the American Cancer Society (ACS). For 2016 the challenge is to create a design that promotes teaching technology and engineering as a career, recruiting high school students or undeclared college students.

27. 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 shapes of molecules, weather patterns, or fluid dynamics. SciVis is the 3-D animated graphical representation of complex scientific concepts. Participants develop a Scientific and Technical Visualization focusing on a topic from one (1) or more of the following subject areas: science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

28. 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.

29. STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING Participants work as a team to build a designated structure. The team applies the principles of structural design and engineering through research, design, construction, destructive testing, and assessment, to determine the design efficiency of the structure. Details about the designated structure and any necessary information related to the structure will be posted on the TSA website under Competitions/Themes and Problems. The on-site semifinalist construction problem will be a variation of the posted design.

30. SYSTEM CONTROL TECHNOLOGY Participants 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.

31. TECHNICAL SKETCHING AND APPLICATION Participants 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.

32. TECHNOLOGY BOWL Participants complete a written, objective test in order to qualify for oral question/response, head ‑ to ‑ head team competition.

33. TECHNOLOGY PROBLEM SOLVING Participants 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. WEBMASTER Participants are required to design, build, and launch a website that features the school’s career and technology/engineering program, the TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research and present a given topic pertaining to technology (referred to as the “design brief”). Conference semifinalists participate in an on-site interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website - with an emphasis on web design methods and practices, as well as their research for the annual design topic.