TSA Middle School Competitions | STEM Home Page |

CAREER PREP OVERVIEW

Participants conduct research on a selected technology-related career and use the knowledge gained to prepare a resume and cover letter, complete a job application, and participate in a mock interview. In 2012, students choose one (1) of these careers:

Mechanical engineer
Architect
Telecommunications specialist
Construction manager
Cardiologist

In 2013, students choose one (1) of these careers:

Industrial designer
LAN technician
Biomedical engineer
Traffic engineer
Photographer

CHALLENGE

Design and produce a cover letter and a chronological or skills resume based on research of a selected technology-related career from the appropriate list above. Complete a formal job application (included in these guidelines) for the career, and be prepared to participate in a mock interview as a semifinalist.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants are limited to one (1) individual per chapter.

TIME LIMITS

A. Research must be conducted during the current school year.

B. Each participant must turn in a completed resume, cover letter and job application at the time stated in the conference booklet.

C. Semifinalists participate in a mock interview of approximately ten (10) minutes.

PROCEDURE

A. In preparation for this event, participants thoroughly research the selected career and are able to answer job-specific questions. Students enter this event with the following scenario in mind:

1. You have graduated from high school and have the appropriate level of education and training [four (4)-year college, technical school, certification and training, etc.] for an entry-level position that is required for successful employment in your selected career.

2. Your training, education, and other qualifications for the entry-level position are realistic for successful employment in your chosen career and are reflected in your resume and cover letter.

B. Participants report to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program.

C. Each participant brings a completed resume, cover letter and job application (in a plain 9" X 12" envelope) to the event area (see Job Application). For security purposes, participant should use fictitious home contact information, social security number, and telephone number when completing the job application.

D. Entries are reviewed by evaluators to determine the twelve (12) semifinalists. Neither students nor advisors are present at this time.

E. A semifinalist list in random order is posted.

F. Semifinalists report to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program to schedule and participate in a mock interview.

REGULATIONS A. The resume, cover letter and application must be completed prior to the event. B. The resume must be typed and is limited to two (2) single-sided, 8½" x 11" pages. C. The cover letter must be typed and is limited to one (1) singlesided, 8½" x 11" page.

D. The application (included in the guidelines, or it may be downloaded from http://www.quintcareers.com/employment_ application.pdf) must be typed or handwritten in print writing.

E. Each participant brings into the event area only the resume , cover letter and application (in the envelope). The envelope will be turned in to the event coordinator.

F. Only participants are allowed in the event area.

COMMUNITY SERVICE VIDEO

OVERVIEW

Participants create a video that highlights their chapter’s involvement with the American Cancer Society (ACS) over the course of a school year.

CHALLENGE

Create and submit a finished video, capable of being played on a standalone DVD player that depicts your local TSA chapter’s service with the American Cancer Society, national TSA’s service partner.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants are limited to one (1) team per chapter. Entries may be submitted by an individual or group.

TIME LIMITS

The video should last no more than two and one half (2½) minutes. There is no minimum length restriction. The video will be timed from the first sound or picture to the final sound or picture.

ATTIRE

Business Casual TSA attire as described in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement.

PROCEDURE

A. Entries must be submitted at the time and place stated in the conference program. B. Entries are reviewed by the evaluators. C. All entries become the property of national TSA. D. Ten (10) finalists are announced at the awards ceremony.

REGULATIONS

A. Participants are encouraged to develop the video in a fashion similar to that of a “video yearbook.” Participants should develop the video chronologically, illustrating their chapter’s involvement with ACS over the course of a particular academic year.

B. The year should be clearly illustrated at the beginning of the video.

C. The entry should be submitted on a DVD suitable for viewing on a standalone DVD player.

D. All video footage, graphics, special effects, and/or audio clips must be originally created/filmed by the participants. No commercial or copyrighted material may be used, regardless of copyright fair use policy.

E. All entries will be retained by national TSA and may be used for promotional purposes. If the entry contains images of people, proof of consent must be provided. Minors require parental consent. (See Photo/Film/Video Consent and Release form that follows for any individuals included in the video footage.)

F. If consent forms are needed, participants should be sure to have consent forms for each person in their video. Participants should scan each completed consent form and save it as a PDF file on a CD-ROM. Consent form PDFs must be submitted with the DVD entry.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

OVERVIEW

Participants produce and submit an album of digital photographs on a storage device. Semifinalists are assigned a task on site.

CHALLENGE

Participants produce an album consisting of color or black and white digital photographs that represent or relate to a chosen theme and place the album on a storage device for submission. Semifinalists produce a series of digital photographs taken at the conference site and edited appropriately for the on-site task. The theme for 2012 is The Art and Science of Technology. The theme for 2013 is TSA, Organized Chaos.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants are limited to three (3) individuals per state.

TIME LIMITS

A. The entry must be completed during the current school year.

B. Semifinalists are given ½ hour to set up their equipment and to receive the on-site task and procedures.

C. Semifinalists are given 2½ hours to complete the on-site task and must be available for evaluation after the on-site task is completed.

ATTIRE

Business Casual TSA attire as described in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement.

PROCEDURE

A. Use a theme to unify the photographs included in the album. Complete the album and a cover page collage during the current school year. The participant is solely responsible for all aspects of participation, including taking pictures, editing pictures, and completing the album.

B. Participants check in their entries at the time and place stated in the conference program.

C. Entries are reviewed by evaluators. Neither students nor advisors are present at this time. A semifinalist list in random order is posted.

D. Semifinalists report with their equipment to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program. Each participant with one (1) assistant (an advisor, fellow student, or adult chaperone) is allowed ½ hour to set up and test equipment.

E. At the end of the set-up time, the event coordinator and evaluators review the on-site task and related procedure with the semifinalists. Each year the task involves students documenting a current, appropriate aspect of the conference such as another competitive event, a special focus of the site, a general session, etc. (Semifinalists may have different tasks.)

F. Semifinalists are given 2½ hours to complete the task, including taking their pictures and editing or enhancing them.

G. As each semifinalist finishes the task, s/he informs the evaluators and completes a written questionnaire.

H. Students must pick up their equipment when the evaluators are finished.

REGULATIONS

A. Preparing the album

1. All documents must be saved to a USB external drive storage device.

a. The cover page must include the event title, the conference city and state, the year, and a collage of photographs related to the current theme.

b. The saved files must include in this order (see the diagram that follows), the following items:

i. Description of the theme (a detailed description of how the theme is documented or represented by the photographs, including a title)

ii. Photographs (only photographs related to the theme should be included)

• Two candid photos

• Two still life photos

• Two posed portraits

• Two photos of the student’s choice

iii. Resource page (a list of resources used to complete the album, including camera, software, computer system, and USB drive)

B. Digital photographs

1. Must be taken, edited, and saved digitally

2. Can be either black and white or color photographs

3. Should be edited and enhanced using appropriate software

4. Enhancements and/or editing should be done ethically and in a way that makes a better picture.

C. Semifinalist task

1. Semifinalists must follow procedures and guidelines as set forth in the introduction to the task.

2. Semifinalists are not allowed any help or guidance from any individual.

3. The task must be completed during the specified time.

4. Participants are responsible for providing all necessary equipment, including a digital camera, computer system, power strip, software, and 50' extension cord. A printer is not required. The event coordinator supplies tables, chairs, and electricity.

5. Participants must submit images in a presentation slideshow format with the unedited and edited photographs in each of six (6) slides.

6 Presentations should be saved and submitted using one (1) of the following storage methods:

a. a compact disk (CD)

b. external USB “plug and play” storage device that requires no external power

7. The semifinalist entries are judged from each semifinalist’s computer system, which must be capable of reading the images in slide show format from a compact disk (CD) or an external USB “plug and play” storage device.

8. Entries become the property of TSA, Inc. and may or may not be used in future promotional materials and publications.

9. Semifinalists will be given a brief written questionnaire in which they may be asked to explain their solution to the onsite task.

D. Recognizable individuals selected and pictured in images must give their written consent before the images can be used in this event. (See Photo/Film/Video Consent and Release form that follows.)

EVALUATION

Evaluation is based upon the effectiveness and quality of the album and how it addresses the current theme. Semifinalists are evaluated on their ability to use digital photography technology, systems, and themes to complete an on-site task.

ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY

OVERVIEW

Participants conduct research in specified subtopics of a broader technological area and, using the knowledge and resources gained through that research, write a comprehensive essay on the one (1) subtopic that is designated on site.

The topic for the 2012 conference is The Impacts of Ever-Changing Technology on Schools, with these subtopics:

Budgets
Computers
World Wide Web
Classroom technology

The topic for the 2013 conference is The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology on Today’s Youth, with these subtopics:

Education
Social development
Ethics

CHALLENGE

Thoroughly research the announced topic and use the knowledge and the resources acquired to write an essay on site that effectively addresses one of the selected subtopics.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants are limited to three (3) individuals per state.

TIME LIMITS

The allotted time for writing the essay is one (1) hour.

ATTIRE

Business casual TSA attire as described in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement.

PROCEDURE

A. In preparation for the event, participants research the topic and related subtopics, preparing a separate outline for each. Participants are permitted to bring these outlines to the competition. The outlines must be handwritten on 3" x 5" note cards [one (1) for each subtopic]. A subtopic outline will be handwritten on one (1) side of the note card and the corresponding supporting details, sources and references will be handwritten on the other side of the note card. Participants are not permitted to enter the competition area with computergenerated notes or notes that are not handwritten.

B. Participants report to the event area with their note cards at the time and place stated in the conference program.

C. Each participant will receive eight (8) sheets of lined notebook paper. Participants are required to use blue or black ink and must provide their own pen. The pen may be “erasable.” Participants may bring correcting fluid or correction tape to the site.

D. One of the subtopics is randomly drawn, and it is this subtopic on which the participants write.

E. Timing begins after the subtopic is announced.

F. After one (1) hour the participants stop writing. Each participant turns in a report, not exceeding five (5) pages in length, a one (1)-page reference list, and the relevant note card.

G. Entries are reviewed by the evaluators. Neither students nor advisors are present at this time.

H. Ten (10) finalists are announced at the awards ceremony.

REGULATIONS

A. Each participant is allowed to bring one (1) 3" x 5" note card for each subtopic, a dictionary, and a thesaurus to the event. All research material brought into the event area must be contained on the note cards. The dictionary and thesaurus must be in print format, not electronic format.

B. Only participants are allowed in the event area. Should a participant finish before the allotted time expires, s/he is allowed to leave quietly but may not re-enter the event room.

C. Participants must bring a blue or black pen. The pen may be erasable. If preferred, the participant may bring correcting fluid or correction tape. Eight (8) sheets of ruled notebook paper will be provided.

D. Each essay must have the participant entry number only placed in the upper right-hand corner of the first page, just above the title of the report.

E. The length of the essay is limited to five (5) handwritten double-spaced pages, one (1) side only, not counting the list of references.

F. Participants must provide a one (1)-page bibliography, one (1) side only, using proper bibliography form, and the relevant note card. MLA bibliography style is required.

G. Nothing can be attached in any manner to the note card.

H. All essays become the property of TSA, Inc.

EVALUATION

Entries are evaluated according to the criteria listed on the official rating form.

LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES

OVERVIEW

Participants work in teams to develop a plan of action that addresses a specific challenging situation provided on site. Under time constraints, semifinalists develop a plan for a second situation and then make a team presentation.

CHALLENGE

Participants demonstrate leadership and team skills by responding to a specific leadership challenge that officers of a TSA chapter might encounter.

ELIGIBILITY

Entries are limited to one (1) team of three (3) students per chapter.

TIME LIMITS

A. Teams are allowed one (1) hour to develop a written plan of action in response to a specific situation.

B. Semifinalists have twenty (20) minutes to prepare a solution to a second situation and are given five (5) minutes to make a team presentation.

C. Each semifinalist team remains in the evaluation room for up to five (5) minutes after the presentation to answer the evaluator’s questions.

ATTIRE

Professional TSA attire as described in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement for the written portion of this event and the semifinalist presentations.

PROCEDURE

A. Participants report to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program.

B. After receiving materials and a description of the situation, teams have one (1) hour to develop and submit a written action plan.

C. Action plans are reviewed by evaluators. A semifinalist list in random order is posted.

D. Semifinalists report to the event preparation room at the time and place stated in the conference program and are given twenty (20) minutes to prepare an action plan for a second situation.

E. Each semifinalist team is escorted to the evaluation room and given five (5) minutes to present a solution to the problem.

F. At the end of the presentation, each team submits its written notes. If necessary, these notes are used as a tie-breaker.

REGULATIONS

A. All work must be completed in the event area during the time specified for the event.

B. Paper and pens or pencils are provided for the event, along with the guidelines noted below in C.3. No additional materials may be brought into the event area by participants.

C. Action plans for the first situation are written, showing evidence of a team effort.

1. Each team’s action plan is presented on a maximum of three (3) pages: one (1) page for the written solution, one (1) page for the completed action plan outline, and one (1) page for supporting details, graphics or other creative explanations.

2. Only the team entry number appears on the report. Entries may NOT include any reference to an individual, school or state.

3. Each entry must include a completed action plan outline as follows:

A. Statement of Problem
B. Identification of Probable Causes of the Problem
C. Evidence of Team Brainstorming for Possible Solutions
D. Team Goals
E. Steps or Procedure for Implementation
F. Roles of Chapter Officers in Implementation
G. Possible Methods of Self-Evaluation

D. The situations relate to those that might be encountered by the leaders of a local TSA chapter. These include but are not limited to:

1. Lack of support or cooperation from a chapter member, advisor, or school administrator.
2. Sudden loss of a program, teacher, or facilities.
3. School policies that do not allow for certain fundraising activities by TSA.
4. Any other administrative, organizational, or financial challenge.

E. Each member of a semifinalist team must participate in the oral presentation.

F. Semifinalist teams present their action plans as follows:

State the problem.
Describe the goals of the team.
Describe the steps or procedure for implementation.
Explain how the success of the team’s plan can be evaluated.
Identify at least one (1) point of opposition to the proposed solution and explain how the team might respond to that opposition.

EVALUATION

Evaluation is based on the team’s effective use of problem-solving and cooperative skills to create and present an action plan that addresses a given leadership challenge. See official rating form for specific criteria.

MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION

OVERVIEW

Participants use their creative skills to develop an animation that focuses on the current year’s theme. The theme for 2012 is My School’s Dress Code: Do’s and Don’ts. The theme for 2013 is My Chapter’s Community Service Project.

CHALLENGE

Participants create and design a standalone multimedia presentation to promote the theme for the current year.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants are limited to one (1) individual per chapter.

TIME LIMITS

A. Animation must have been created during the current school year.

B. Participant has a maximum of 2½ minutes of elapsed time for the animation. Time begins with the first sound or image and ends with the last sound or image.

ATTIRE

Professional TSA attire as described in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement for semifinalists.

PROCEDURE

A. Participants check in their entries at the time and place stated in the conference program.

B. Entries are reviewed by evaluators using a PC platform (MAC is not supported) multimedia computer to view all of the presentations on site.

C. Twelve (12) semifinalists are identified. A semifinalist list in random order is posted.

D. Semifinalists report to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program.

E. Semifinalists will be questioned about their animation, with the focus on any of the following elements:

software
selection of specific design schemes
public domain sound-files and images
how these elements combine to create the animation
what might have been done differently

REGULATIONS

A. The animation

must be electronically authored and turned in on a CD-ROM or DVD in either MPEG or Quick Time file formats. No highdefinition DVD, DC or Blu-ray disc formats will be allowed. An analog videocassette is not acceptable.
should not have student or school names appear in the entry.
must be self-explanatory. Only semifinalists have the opportunity to explain their animation.
must be self-contained; the animation should play/advance automatically once it has been opened and started by evaluators.
may be created using any common animation software.
may not exceed two and one-half (2½) minutes.
may include sound, but it is not required.
should NOT include copyrighted characters, even if the student draws them, unless there is written permission.

B. The animation should not exceed two and one-half (2½) minutes in length. There will be a three (3) point deduction for each fifteen (15) seconds over the two and one-half (2½) minute maximum length. For example: An animation that runs 47 seconds beyond the two and one-half (2½) minute limit will receive a deduction of nine (9) points.

C. It is important that the animation be the result of the vision and work of the student.

D. In addition to the animation, students must submit a signed, word-processed document pledging primary authorship. This document cites, as required in the General Rules and Regulations, all ideas, text, images, and sounds, including music, or anything that is from the public domain. If copyrighted material is used, proper written permission must be included. Failure to follow this procedure results in disqualification.

E. Participants have permission to use the TSA logo, which is copyrighted, for the purposes of this event. Information about

TSA is available on the national TSA website (www.tsaweb. org). Participants should not contact national TSA for input or guidance.

F. Students give viewing and property rights to TSA upon submitting their entry to the competition.

G. The winning presentation may be used to promote TSA. The authoring student must provide a Photo/Film/Video Consent and Release form (that follows) for any individuals included in the animation.

EVALUATION

Evaluation is based on the appropriate use of technology, appeal, creativity, and the overall effectiveness of the animation. Students who do not include a pledge of authorship or the source of public domain sound files will be assessed a deduction of twenty percent (20%) of the total possible points.

PREPARED SPEECH

OVERVIEW

Participant delivers an oral presentation that reflects the theme of the current conference.

The theme for the 2012 conference is The Road to Success.
The theme for the 2013 conference is A Tradition of Excellence.

CHALLENGE

Develop and deliver a prepared speech on the assigned topic.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants are limited to one (1) individual per chapter.

TIME LIMITS

A. Each speech should be no less than three (3) minutes and no more than five (5) minutes.

ATTIRE

Professional TSA attire as described in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement. PROCEDURE

A. Participants report to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program to receive an assigned speaking time.

B. The event coordinator introduces each participant by number and in the order of scheduled times.

C. No observers are allowed in the event room during heats. Observers are allowed to sit in the audience during the semifinals. No audio or visual recording devices (including cell phones, digital cameras, etc.) by any observer are permitted. No talking or gesturing is permitted. Observers may NOT enter or leave during a speech. THERE SHOULD BE NO APPLAUSE UNTIL THE PRESENTATION HAS CONCLUDED.

D. A podium and a standard table [approximately 6 feet (6') long] will be provided in the room by TSA.

E. A semifinalist list in random order is posted.

F. Semifinalists report to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program.

G. Semifinalist speeches follow the same guidelines as above.

REGULATIONS

A. Each presentation must be the result of the participant’s own efforts.

B. The topic for the Prepared Speech event is the published theme for the current year’s conference. Information about technology and TSA is appropriate as long as it relates to the published theme.

C. Presentation devices, such as computers, screens or easels, overhead projectors and electronic projection devices are not allowed. Costumes are not permitted.

D. Participants are not allowed to hear other participants’ presentations.

E. Participants’ scores are penalized one (1) point for each ten (10)-second interval for speaking over or under the allotted time. Time commences when the presentation begins.

EVALUATION

Evaluation is based upon the quality, content and effectiveness of the presentation, as well as the speaker’s stage presence.

PROMOTIONAL DESIGN

OVERVIEW

A long-standing tradition at the national TSA conference is trading state lapel pins at the mixer. In this competition, participants will design a color lapel pin that can be used to promote their state TSA association at the next national TSA conference.

CHALLENGE

Participants create and produce a color pin design that is appropriate for trading at the national TSA conference.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants are limited to two (2) individuals per chapter, one (1) entry each.

TIME LIMITS

The entry must be started and completed during the current school year.

ATTIRE

Business Casual TSA dress as described in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement.

PROCEDURE

A. Participants check in their entries at the time and place stated in the conference program.

B. Entries are reviewed by evaluators. Neither students nor advisors are present at this time.

C. Ten (10) finalists are announced at the awards ceremony.

D. Entries are not returned to participants.

REGULATIONS

A. Promotional Design is an individual event. No recognition is given for a group effort.

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.

CHALLENGE

In designing a game, participants should understand that game art design demands the use of complex intellectual, artistic, and technical skills. Once learned, these skills may be applied in many other high technology occupations within the sciences, technology, and the arts. A well-designed game not only entertains but often requires the game player to use complex problem solving skills. Game development is a major industry today, and its potential as an instructional tool is virtually infinite.

ELIGIBILITY

One (1) team per chapter. There will be a minimum of two (2) participants per team. TIME LIMITS

A. Entries must be started and completed during the current school year.

B. The game MUST execute directly from the DVD.

C. The game submitted for evaluation must be greater than three (3) minutes in length of play and must be interactive. Judges must be able to play the game to the fifth (5th) level.

D. The timing of the game segment starts with the first image or sound presented. ATTIRE Professional dress as describe in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement.

PROCEDURE

A. Participants check in their entries (notebooks and DVDs) at the time and place stated in the conference program.

B. Entries are reviewed by evaluators. Neither students nor advisors are present at this time. A semifinalist list in random order is posted.

C. Two (2) representatives from each semifinalist team report to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program for their interview.

D. Each semifinalist team will be interviewed to explain its notebook and game to the evaluators, discussing the purpose, value, design, rules, and development process of its work, as well as answer other questions.

REGULATIONS

A. The game segment must be turned in on a DVD.

B. The game MUST execute directly from the DVD. Entries will be evaluated using only a PC platform, running a minimum of Windows XP. Participants will not be permitted to install anything onto the evaluator’s computer.

C. Instructions and text must be clear and understandable for the evaluation process.

D. Entries must be a team project.

E. Notebooks and DVDs become the property of TSA, Inc.

F. The game must include original work of the team, but game architecture, game engines, graphics and sounds may be used from other sources. Work that is not created by the team must have proper documentation showing copyright permissions and/ or license for usage in the game segment.

G. The DVD and a standard three (3)-ring binder, with a clear front sleeve for a cover page, are required. The cover page must include the event title, the conference city and state, and the year. The inside of the binder must include the following single-sided, 8 ½" x 11" pages:

Title page with the title of the game, the conference city and state, and the year; one (1) page
Table of contents
Purpose and description of game, including target audience; one (1) page
A detailed explanation of how to play the game, including a list of all control functions; pages as needed
Team’s self-evaluation of the design that includes use of event evaluation criteria; one (1) page
A hand-drawn storyboard, pages as needed
List of hardware and software used in development of the game, as well as cost of development; pages as needed
List of references that includes sources for materials (copyrighted and otherwise); pages as needed
Permission letters for copyrighted material; pages as needed
A list of everything in the game not created by the team; pages as needed
Plan of Work log that indicates preparation for the event, as noted by date, task, time involved, team member responsible, and comments (See Plan of Work log); one (1) page

EVALUATION

Only the first five (5) levels of the game will be evaluated. Evaluation is based on the game’s aesthetics, flow, story, content, sound (preferred but not required) and characters. The game should be entertaining, exciting and challenging, and have social and educational value. Up to ten (10) bonus points may be added by the judges for exceptional game features, or for content showing exemplary educational or social value.

WEBSITE DESIGN

OVERVIEW

Participants are required to design, build and launch a World Wide Web site that features the team’s ability to research topics pertaining to technology. Pre-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 Internet and web history, web design of the design brief pages, and research about cutting edge advances in technology.

CHALLENGE

Participants design, build and launch a website that features the team’s research about a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) topic.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants are limited to one (1) team of three (3) to five (5) members per chapter. One (1) entry per team is permitted.

TIME LIMITS

A. All components of the chapter’s entry must be finished and accessible via the Internet by midnight Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 15. Note: After midnight May 15, no changes should be made to the website. The evaluation of each entry begins at 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 16. If a team makes changes to the website after the evaluators begin the judging of the entry, those changes are not considered. Changes made after midnight May 15 may result in a loss of points or disqualification.

B. The universal resource locator (URL) for the chapter’s entry must be emailed to webentry@tsaweb.org by midnight on May 15. The subject line of the email must be: Website Design. Also, the URL must point to the main web page of the team’s design brief solution only. Note: webentry@tsaweb.org accepts submissions for national TSA competition only. Email verification of each team’s entry is made by June 15. Five (5) days prior to the national TSA conference, links from the national TSA website to all Website Design entries become available.

C. Pre-conference semifinalists participate in an on-site conference interview that lasts approximately five (5) minutes.

ATTIRE

Professional TSA attire as described in Competitive Events Attire is the minimum requirement.

PROCEDURE

A. Participants obtain the event design brief from the national TSA website at www.tsaweb.org. (Criteria for the middle school and high school events are different.)

B. All questions pertaining to Website Design must be emailed to webentry@tsaweb.org, the event coordinator, or the event manager.

C. Participants design a website that features the chapter’s research findings on the topic posed in the event design brief.

D. The entries are evaluated prior to the national conference so that evaluators have ample opportunity to view the entries online.

E. A pre-conference semifinalist list of twelve (12) entries in random order is posted at the conference on the first full day of competition.

F. Up to all five (5) team members from each pre-conference semifinalist team report to the event area at the time and place stated in the conference program for the interview.

G. Pre-conference semifinalist teams must sign up for an interview. The specific place and time for interview scheduling is posted on the semifinalist list. The team must report back to the event area at the appropriate time.

H. Each team is interviewed by the evaluators for approximately five (5) minutes.

REGULATIONS

A. Participants must launch their entry on a web server that can be accessed via the Internet 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, 52 weeks per year.

B. Each entry must consist of web pages that specifically display the chapter’s research findings on the topic posed in the event design brief.

C. Design brief pages

The solution to the design brief is developed as a series of web pages with a minimum of three (3) pages and no maximum of pages linked under the main design brief solution web page.
The solution should contain links to relevant and appropriate websites that contribute to the team’s design brief research findings. A maximum of five (5) links to websites that contribute to the team’s design brief research findings may be included.

D. All web pages must be completed during the current school year.

E. If copyrighted material, such as text, images, or sound from other sources is used, proper written permission must be included.

F. All entries are viewed with the latest version of Internet Explorer.

G. Each chapter selects up to five (5) team members to represent the chapter in the on-site interview.

H. In addition to basic HTML code, the website may contain java applets, DHTML, Shockwave, Flash, and other state-of-the-art web-based applications.

EVALUATION

A. Evaluation of the chapter entry includes overall design and originality, and the scope and sequence of the design brief solution. Also evaluated are the website’s compatibility with different browsers, screen resolutions, and the appropriate use of new Internet and web-based applications.

B. The interview evaluates the team’s knowledge and expertise pertaining to the entry in the following areas: overall website design and originality; the scope and sequence of the design brief solution; website compatibility with different browsers; monitor resolution; plug-ins; and the use of new Internet and web-based applications.