Mission Statement
The Technology Student Association (TSA) enhances personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), whereby members apply and integrate these concepts through intracurricular activities, competitions, and related programs.
Compete in Events
Regional and state competitions are every spring. The national competition is in the summer. The list of engineering related events are below. For a full list please see the TSA website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TBA
Manual Qualifying Competition & Events
Lead your Chapter
Become a member, attend weekly meetings and be an officer of the Manual TSA Chapter.
MEETING TIMES
Fridays
2:30-3:00
Manual Auditorium
Feb 28
Central Kentucky Regional Conference @ Eastern Kentucky University
Apr 13-15
Kentucky State Conference @ Marriott Griffin Gate Resort - Lexington, KY
High School Competitions - Engineering
Animatronics
Participants demonstrate knowledge of mechanical and control systems by designing, fabricating, and controlling an animatronics device that will communicate, entertain, inform, demonstrate and/or illustrate a topic, idea, subject, or concept. Sound, lights, and a surrounding environment must accompany the device.
Architectural Design
Participants develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual architectural design challenge and construct a physical, as well as a computer-generated model, to accurately depict their design.
Biotechnology Design
Participants ( two to six members per team) select a contemporary biotechnology problem (that relates to the current year’s published topic) and demonstrate understanding of it through documented research, the development of a solution, a display (including an optional model or prototype), and an effective multimedia presentation.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Engineering
Participants use complex computer graphic skills, tools, and processes to develop three-dimensional representations of engineering subjects such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
Participants (one team of two to six members) design, fabricate, and use Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) to create a promotional product that will showcase the current conference city and/or state.
Dragster Design
Participants design, produce a working drawing for, and build a CO2-powered dragster.
Engineering Design
Participants (teams of three to six members) develop a solution to a National Academy of Engineering grand challenge that is posted on the national TSA website. The solution offered will be informed and designed by precise problem definition, thorough research, creativity, experimentation (when possible), and the development of documents and appropriate models (mathematical, graphical, and/or physical prototype/model). Semifinalist teams present and defend their proposed solution to a panel of judges.
Flight Endurance
Participants analyze flight principles with a rubber band-powered model aircraft.
Structural Design and Engineering
Participants (team of two) work as a team to build a designated structure that is posted on the TSA website. Teams apply the principles of structural design and engineering through research, design, construction, destructive testing, and assessment to determine the design efficiency of the structure.
System Control Technology
Participants (team of three) work on site to develop a computer-controlled model-solution to a problem, typically one from an industrial setting. Teams analyze the problem, build a computer-controlled mechanical model, program the model, explain the program and mechanical features of the model-solution, and write instructions for evaluators to operate the device.
Technology Problem Solving
Participants (one team of two members per chapter) use their skills in problem solving to develop a finite solution to a problem provided on site.
Transportation Modeling
Participants (one individual per chapter) research, design, and produce a scale model of a vehicle that fits the annual design problem.
