There are many clubs and many successes within the Magnet student body, but there was an underrated win last month.  This belongs to the TSA, and no this is not as in airport security, although these students might be just as intense (ly intelligent). This success really belongs to the 15 students of the Technology Student Association or the TSA. The Technology Student Association is a national technological career and student organization of high school students interested and involved in STEM. There are over 300,000 members across the country in the program. TSA offers a broad variety of activities including competitions.  There are more than 70 competitions available that cover different interest areas, such as engineering, research, and leadership. The leadership skills can be put into effect at local, state, and national levels. Academic Magnet’s TSA competed on the state level in many competitive event.  On Saturday, March 23rd many of these students were awarded at the state competition in Charleston, SC.

Academic Magnet’s chapter’s teacher advisor is Ms. Beuk and the student leaders are Zach Butler, Graham Gregory, Maddy Jolly, and Jacob Beuk. The club meets every A-Day Monday to enhance personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in STEM.  But they don’t stop there, the club’s volunteering is focused on participation in the national service project.

First Place Awards

Biotechnology Design 

Participants select a contemporary biotechnology problem that addresses the annual theme and demonstrates understanding of the topic through documented research, the development of a solution, a display (including an optional model or prototype), and an effective multimedia presentation. Semifinalists deliver a presentation and participate in an interview.

Leah Bagg and Keerthana Samuel 

Children’s Stories 

In response to the annual theme, participants create an illustrated children’s story of artistic, instructional, and social value, and submit documentation related to the development of the physical storybook. Semifinalists read their story aloud and participate in an interview.

Leah Bagg, Elaine Chen, and Keerthana Samuel 

Coding 

Participants take a test, which concentrates on aspects of coding, to qualify for the semifinal round of competition. Semifinalists develop a software program – in a designated amount of time – that accurately addresses an onsite problem.

Jacob Beuk and Zack Francisco

Data Science and Analytics 

Participants identify a societal issue, collect or compile data from various sources about the issue, and then produce documentation and a digital scientific poster about their findings. Semifinalists create a synopsis and digital visual representation of a data set provided in an onsite challenge.

Leah Bagg 

Drone Challenge 

Participants design, build, assemble, document, and test fly an open-source Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) according to the stated annual theme/problem specifications. The required documentation portfolio must include elements such as a photographic log, wiring schematics, and a description of the programming software used. Semifinalists participate in an interview.

Noah Houfek, Zavier Nutting, Yamil Perez, and Luke Williams 

Essays on Technology 

Participants are given two hours to write a research-based essay – with citations – using an essay prompt and two (2) or more sources provided onsite. The essay must include insightful thoughts about the current technological topic presented in the prompt.

Keerthana Samuel 

Video Game Design 

Participants design, build, and launch an E-rated online video game – with accompanying required documentation – that addresses the annual theme. Semifinalists participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise they gained during the development of the game.

Jacob Beuk, Graham Gregory, Maddy Jolly, and Victoria Haber 

Webmaster 

Participants design, build, and launch a website that addresses the annual challenge. Semifinalists participate in an interview to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise gained during the development of the website.

Leah Bagg and Graham Gregory 

Second Place Awards:

 Computer Aided Design (CAD) Architecture

Maddy Jolly 

Data Science and Analytics

Participants identify a societal issue, collect or compile data from various sources about the issue, and then produce documentation and a digital scientific poster about their findings. Semifinalists create a synopsis and digital visual representation of a data set provided in an onsite challenge.

Zach Butler and Conner Li 

Prepared Presentation

Participants deliver a three-to-five-minute oral presentation related to the current national TSA conference theme. Both semifinalists and finalists are determined based on the quality of the presentation and the appropriate use and content of the accompanying required slide deck.

Keerthana Samuel 

Extemporaneous Speech

Adam Leon 

Third Place Awards

Debating Technological Issues

Participants research the annual topic and subtopics and prepare for a debate against a team from another chapter. Teams are instructed to take either the pro or con side of a selected subtopic, submit a summary of references, and use their research to support their assigned position. The quality of a team’s debate determines semifinalists and finalists.

Maddy Jolly and Graham Gregory 

All of the Magnet students qualified for at least one event in the National Championship in Orlando, Florida on June 26-30! Huge congratulations to these students, this is pretty impressive!!