New DBHS TSA Website

Hey! So, we've moved over to a new website: http://dbhstsa.weebly.com/ . Our new blog is at: http://dbhstsa.weebly.com/blog.html . Have a good day!

First Ever CA TSA State Conference is Coming to DBHS!

We have lots & lots of updates - good & bad. Please read the entire post to get the full update. 

Before we explain the subject line, we have sad news to share with y'all. TSA Week is cancelled ... kind of (read on!). 

Now, moving onto the good news...

We are having the FIRST EVER CA TSA STATE CONFERENCE this year! To make things even better, this historic event will take place at DBHS on March 2^nd! The conference will begin at 9:00 am, and the award ceremony will end at around 5:00 pm.

YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!! (CAN YOU TELL THAT WE ARE SUPER EXCITED??)

Almost all the competitions are offered at the state conference. Some will require before-hand digital turn in while others will be completed on-site. To participate in the conference, you MUST complete this form by Saturday, 1/26/2013 11:59 PM: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGJ3dFVMTWxKTTM2dmo1TlprRVA4QkE6MQ#gid=0

Competing at this conference is the only way for you to qualify to compete at nationals, which will take place in Orlando, Florida from June 28 - July 2. You must be a national member - meaning that you have paid the $10 national registration fee - to participate in this conference. If you still wish to become a national member, we will be collecting the money within the next few weeks. 

To see the available competitions: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ama-2rXceOV3dFdqSG1XMXkzaHdaUk1WS3pJV3ZKc1E#gid=0

Events Rulebook (These are national rules. State competitions will follow these rules but with some adjustments): https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByeYyrmT9fVaTTZVUVVuTWxMeUE/edit

To see the the changes: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByeYyrmT9fVaWUNNMUJVMTJLTkU/edit

For the beforehand turn-ins: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByeYyrmT9fVaRUxweDBRVVAwRnM/edit

Please read all the documents ENTIRELY & CAREFULLY. All members are encouraged to participate in 3 or more events. The maximum is 6 events. 

For the events that we have more sign-ups than allowed, we will hold preliminary rounds. This will be our shortened & simplified version of TSA Week. More info on this will be released on Sunday, 1/27/2013. Watch out for emails & confirmations for the next few weeks. 

Alrighty, enough about events...

TSA has had a long tradition of student leadership, and we are excited to say that California will be instituting this practice at this state conference. The state officer program allows student leaders from California to have a hand in leading the entire California membership. All candidates must have held at TSA office at chapter level already. Up to three students are allowed to run for office from each chapter. If anyone is interested in running, email dbhstsa@gmail.com also before Saturday, 1/26/2013 11:59 PM.

Finally, a message from our State Advisor:  

"Thank you for your dedication to TSA ... Because this will be the first conference for California, your patience and understanding as we navigate this new experience will be greatly appreciated. This is a very exciting time for California TSA, you are a part of history!"

More information about the state conference will be loaded on our state website, www.californiatsa.org. Check for updates and clarifications on events.

Thank you so much for your continued support & patience. Cross your fingers that everything goes smoothly! 

TSA Week Sign-ups Deadline: Friday, 12/7. Don't miss out on this year's competitions!

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dbhstsa

TSA WEEK: 2/4/13 - 2/8/13

Sign up for events here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE5EMWpmeFJPXzNxOUVnNjFYUEdYeXc6MQ#gid=0S
Deadline for sign-ups: Sunday, 12/2/2012

Monday, 2/4/13 (Submission Drop-off During Lunch)

ON DEMAND VIDEO

Overview: Participants write, shoot, & edit a 60 second video in 48 hours. Required criteria, such as props and/or a line of dialogue, will be giving out at the mandatory meeting on Fri, 2/1/13. 
Eligibility: Participants are limited to 1 team of 2 or 3 students. Teams may be formed or assigned depending on the number of participants. 
Time Limits: Videos must be no longer than 60 seconds. All entries must be completed in the 48 hour time limit. Do not start prior 2/1/13. 
All videos must be on flash drives or CDs with participants' names attached.

PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY 

Overview: Participants capture images and process photographic and digital prints that depict the theme courage. Participants may utilize multimedia software to prepare a storyboard/collage. You must be ready to present your entry.Eligibility: Limited 1 entry per participant. Groups are not allowed. 2011 national 1st place entry: http://www.tsaweb.org/sites/default/files/u1/PhotoTech1.pdf

CAD 2D

Overview: Participants create representations, such as foundation and/or floor
plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural
ornamentation or cabinetry.
Eligibility: Limited 1 entry per participant. Groups are not allowed. 

ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY

Overview: Participants conduct research in a published technological area and, using the knowledge and personal insights gained form this research, write a persuasive essay on one (1) subtopic. Consider your audience to be the readers of your local daily newspaper.
Eligibility: Limited 1 entry per participant. Groups are not allowed.
Topic: The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology on Today's Youth
Subtopics: Education, Social development, Ethics

MUSIC PRODUCTION

Overview: 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.
Eligibility: Teamwork is strongly encouraged, but a team of one (1) member is permitted.

Tuesday, 2/5/13 (3:30 - 4:00 P.M.)

DEBATING TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES

Overview: Team members will work together to prepare for a debate against an opposing team. The teams will be instructed to take either the pro or con side of the selected subtopic. 
Eligibility: Teams may be formed or assigned depending on the number of participants. 
Theme: Social Media
Subtopics: 
1. Should your use of social media, on or off the job, affect your employment status? 
2. Does the use of social media increase the risk of identity theft?
3. Should providers/creators of social media sites be held liable for the negative impacts that may result form their use, such as bullying, predatory stalking, etc.?

Wednesday, 2/6/13 (3:30 - 4:00 P.M.)

TECHNOLOGY BOWL 

Overview: Teams compete in oral question/response, head-to-head competition against each other with buzzers.Eligibility: 4 students per team. Teams may be formed or assigned depending on the number of participants. 

Thursday, 2/7/13 (3:30 - 4:00 P.M.)

VIDEO GAME DESIGN

Overview: Participants develop an E-rated game that focuses on the subject of their choice. The game should be interesting  exciting, visually appealing and intellectually challenging. The game should have high artistic, educational, and social value. A working, interactive game will be submitted on a DVD for evaluation. 
Eligibility: There will be a minimum of two (2) people per team. Teams may be formed or assigned depending on the number of participants. 

Friday, 2/8/13 (Lunch)

TSA COMPETITION SHOWCASE & AWARDS 

Overlook of the TSA week & announce the winners. Winning entries will be presented. Everyone is invited so bring your friends! 

Possible events for TSA Week

You can vote for the events below that you want to keep at this link:((here.)

Career Preparation Participants (one individual per chapter) research technology-related careers designated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as falling in the top ten employment growth areas in the near future. As part of the research for the careers noted in the current conference year, students prepare a resume and cover letter for each career. Semifinalists participate in an on-site job interview related to one of the careers

For the 2012-2013 school year, students research and prepare a resume and cover letter for each of the following careers:
Computer software specialist
Film and video editor
Biomedical engineer

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 2D, Architecture Participants (two individuals per state) create representations, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 3D, Engineering Participants (two individuals per state) create 3D computer model(s) of an engineering or machine object, such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product.

Debating Technological Issues Participants (three teams of two members per state) work together to prepare for a debate against a team from another chapter. Teams are instructed on site to take either the pro or con side of a subtopic (which falls under a general topic) that is designated annually.
Team members prepare to debate both pro and con views of a subtopic (which falls under a general topic) against a team from another chapter.

The 2013 topic is Social Media, with these subtopics:

    Should your use of social media, on or off the job, affect your employment status?

    Does the use of social media increase the risk of identity theft?

    Should providers/creators of social media sites be held liable for the negative impacts that may result from their use, such as bullying, predatory stalking, etc.?

Desktop Publishing Participants (one individual per state) produce a notebook containing a news release, a three-column newsletter, and a poster. All participants (not just semifinalists) work to solve an on-site problem to demonstrate their abilities to use the computer to design and edit materials for in-house publication.

Digital Video Production Participants (three teams per state, one entry per team) develop a digital video/film that focuses on the current year’s theme. Sound may accompany the film.

Theme: Follow the Rules

Essays on Technology Participants (three individuals per state) conduct research in an announced technological area and using the knowledge and personal insights gained from this research write an essay on one subtopic selected from two or three related subtopics designated on site.

Topic: The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology on Today’s Youth

Subtopics:
Education
Social development
Ethics

Extemporaneous Speech Participants (three individuals per state) give a three-to-five minute speech fifteen minutes after having drawn a card on which a technology or TSA topic for a speech is written.

Future Technology Teacher Participants (three individuals per chapter) research and select three accredited colleges or universities that offer technology education or engineering technology teacher preparation as a major. Each participant writes a one page simulated college essay explaining 1) why s/he wishes to become a technology education or engineering technology teacher and 2) what would constitute success in the field. Participants also develop and present a lesson plan.

Music Production Participants (three teams per state) produce an original musical piece that is designed to be played during the national TSA conference opening or closing general session.

On Demand Video Participants (one team of two or more students per chapter, one entry per team) write, shoot, and edit a sixty second video on site at the conference.

Photographic Technology Participants (one individual per chapter) capture and process photographic and digital prints that depict the current year’s published theme. 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.

Theme: Courage

Prepared Presentation Participants (three individuals per state) deliver an oral presentation, which should include audio and/or visual enhancement, based on the theme for the current year’s conference.

This year's Conference Theme: "A Tradition of Excellence"

 Promotional Graphics Participants (two individuals per chapter, one entry each) develop and present a graphic design that can be used to promote participation in TSA competitive events. The design will promote annually-selected competitions from TSA’s array of competitive events.

Options: Animatronics, Chapter Team, Music Production

Technical Sketching and Application Participants (two individuals per chapter) complete a written test in order to qualify for the semifinalist level of competition. Semifinalists must demonstrate their ability to solve on-site engineering graphics problems using standard drafting techniques.

Technology Bowl Participants (one team of three members per chapter) complete a written, objective test in order to qualify for oral question/response, head-to-head team competition.

Video Game Design Participants [three teams per state (a minimum of two individuals per team), one entry per team] develop an E-rated game that focuses on the subject of their choice.

Webmaster Participants (one team of three to five members per chapter) are required to design, build and launch a website that features their school's career and technology education program, the TSA chapter, and the chapter’s ability to research topics pertaining to technology. Semifinalists participate in an on-site interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website, with an emphasis on Internet and web history, web design (school, chapter and design brief pages), and research about cutting edge advances in technology. Refer to the document at this link: (here) for design brief.

About DBHS TSA

"Learning To Live In A Technical World." That is the motto of the Technology Student Association.

The Technology Student Association is a national level organization consisting of over 2000 different schools in 48 states of the US. This organization focuses on the four parts of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and allows members to express themselves through various activities and competitions with fellow students of similar interests. These competitions include events like On Demand Video and a Technology Debate.

We at Diamond Bar High School had started the first chapter of TSA in California a year ago. We also held our very own TSA week of competition, where students competed and won prizes. This event will be held annually with many events available for everyone to participate in. Ever since then, we have been busy recruiting more schools into the TSA world so that they can start their own chapters of TSA in their schools. Thanks to the efforts of our members, we have recruited enough new schools for California to officially become a part of the national organization!

A big part of this club is to apply technology to various activities to promote growth and innovation. However, the most important parts of this club, like many other clubs, is to meet new people and have fun while participating. This is very important to us, so always remember this! :D     

We Are in the Newspaper! YAY

TSA & Brahma Tech are featured in local newspaper! WOOHOO

http://www.sgvtribune.com/education/ci_20120154/brahma-tech-joins-high-tech-competition-at-diamond

Good job to all the participants! We hope you had fun & see you next year!

Thank you Richard Irwin for writing the awesome article (: