Robotics, Co2 car races, and model aircraft testing are just a few of the competitions that will take place at the New Jersey Technology Student Association (TSA) State Conference at The College of New Jersey on Tuesday, March 24th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at various locations on campus. 1300 of the top science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students from about 45 New Jersey high schools will compete in over 40 different competitions including Structural Engineering, Engineering Design, Architectural Modeling, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Agriculture & Biotechnology Design and System Control Technology. For a complete list of competitions and locations, contact the Office of College and Community Relations at 609-771-3066 or visit TCNJ Brower Student Center before 9:30 a.m. to pick up a brochure.
TCNJ receives funding from the NJ Department of Education to run TSA in NJ. A collaborative program between the NJDOE, TCNJ faculty and students and NJ middle and high schools, TSA fosters leadership skills and opportunities in technology, innovation, design and engineering for its members. Involvement with TSA is a critical leadership component for TCNJ undergraduate majors in Technological Studies, Engineering and Math/Science/Technology, who plan and conduct all on-campus TSA events and who assume the roles of Judges and Event Coordinators for all competitions. In fact, more than half of the teachers who bring students to the annual State Conference are TCNJ alumni, specifically, alumni of the Technological Studies Department. Middle and high school conference winners will go on to compete against students from other states at the National TSA Conference in Baltimore, MD on June 28-July 2, 2010.
TSA is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in technology. Headquartered in the School of Engineering, Department of Technological Studies, at The College of New Jersey, NJ-TSA is the fastest growing Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) in the state. NJ-TSA has achieved its highest level of membership in 18 years: 8900 members.
Nationally, TSA is a 150,000-member association of middle and high school students who are, or have been, enrolled in technology education courses. Its goal is to promote technological literacy and leadership through student participation in challenging technological competitions that require problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills as they relate to communications, design, power, energy, transportation, engineering, manufacturing and construction.