Virginia Association of the Technology Student Association

WHAT IS VIRGINIA TSA?

The Virginia Technology Student Organization is affiliated with The Technology Student Association (TSA) which is a national, not-for-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. More information about the Technology Student Association can be found at www.tsaweb.org

VIRGINIA TSA MISSION STATEMENT

The Virginia Association of 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.

VIRGINIA TSA HISTORY

We’re still compiling Virginia TSA’s history! Please check back at a later date for the full story.

Virginia TSA Past Presidents

NATIONAL TSA HISTORY

The Technology Student Association (TSA), formerly AIASA, is the oldest student organization dedicated exclusively to students enrolled in technology education classes grades K-12. It has a rich history that spans three decades.

Three distinct periods may be found in TSA’s history. During the period from 1958 to 1978, the American Industrial Arts Student Association (AIASA) was a sponsored activity of the American Industrial Arts Association (AIAA). In 1978, the not-for-profit corporation, AIASA, Inc., was formed to oversee AIASA as a separate organization.

During the decade that followed, the organization grew in size, strength, structure, and impact on students and secondary school programs. The summer of 1988 closed this third decade as AIASA reached another milestone, a change in the organization’s name: the Technology Student Association (TSA).

More information about the Technology Student Association’s history is available at our national website.

LEARNING TO LIVE IN A TECHNICAL WORLD

TSA chapters take the study of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) beyond the classroom and give students the chance to pursue academic challenges among friends with similar goals and interests.

Together, chapter members work on competitive events, attend conferences on the state and national levels and have a good time raising funds to get there. Chapter organization develops leadership, as members may become officers within their state and then run nationally.

Our chapters are committed to a national service project and are among the most service-oriented groups in the community.

HOW TO START A TSA CHAPTER

All that is needed is a motivated teacher and an eager group of students. An expensive array of high-tech equipment is not necessary. Just call 703-860-9000 or click on Join TSA for more information.

INTERESTED IN STARTING A CHAPTER?

You can Affiliate Online at our national website.

QUESTIONS?

We’d love to speak with you! Please contact us at (804) 524-5549.

COMPETITIONS

Imagine an activity so captivating that your students spend hours working on it after school for weeks at a time. That’s what happens when TSA members engage in TSA’s competitions. Only TSA members have the opportunity to compete at exciting state conferences and then at the annual National Conference.

Expert judging by technology educators and industry representatives inspires the best from participants. Members are rewarded not only with medals or trophies, but also with memories of the camaraderie and the challenge of a TSA Conference.

CURRICULUM INTEGRATION 

MEETING STEM CRITERIA THROUGH TSA

Education directives at the federal and state levels focus on providing avenues for initiatives such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. TSA helps teachers meet the criteria for STEM education goals through exciting programs that include technology activities, competitions, leadership and teamwork for students.

In addition, all TSA activities are correlated to the Standards for Technological Literacy, as set forth by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). Teachers can use TSA’s activities during the school day in their classroom and extend the learning beyond the classroom through a TSA chapter.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

Students can work individually or as a team in such areas as agriculture and biotechnology, website design, dragster design, flight challenge, film technology, CAD with 3D modeling, desktop publishing, extemporaneous speaking radio controlled transportation or scientific visualization.

A more complete listing of our Middle School Competitive Events and High School Competitive Events can be found at our national website.

Learn more about TSA at our national website.