National TSA Convention

On Saturday, June 28, 2007 Technology Student Association (TSA) students and their advisors boarded a bus bound for the 29th National TSA Conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. These outstanding Polk County students were winners at the Florida State TSA Conference held earlier in the spring.

The mission of the Technology Student Association is to prepare its membership for the challenges of a dynamic world by promoting technological literacy, leadership, and problem solving skills, resulting in personal growth and opportunities. TSA hosts more than 60 competitions that incorporate communications, construction, manufacturing, transportation, leadership, and related technologies. TSA's competitive events are aligned with the Standards for Technological Literacy.

Animatronics Team

TSA introduced an exciting new competition this year, Animatronics. Participants were challenged to design, fabricate and control an animatronic device that would communicate, entertain, inform, and/or illustrate a topic, idea, subject or concept. Sound, lights, and a surrounding environment were required.

TSA students at Lake Region High School took up the challenge of this daunting competition. Moe Lar was designed by the Lake Region TSA animatronics team with the purpose of teaching young children about dental hygiene. They wanted Moe Lar to provide a fun, easy way to teach children about the importance of healthy teeth. They thought a cartoon appearance and features would appeal to their audience. As a result of their hard work, ingenuity, and dedication the Animatronics team took First Place in the national competition.

Moe Lar - The Movie

Link to National TSA
Link to Florida TSA