Despite the fact that our chapter is very hardworking, goal-oriented and talented, we always come across the same problem every year: getting started. We spend most of school year talking and having difficulty getting projects off the ground. We don't accomplish much until late February and early March and a large contributor to this problem is the 4 x 4 block scheduling. It hinders us from finding talent until the middle of the school year. But believe me, once we do get the right people it is up, up, and away. We rigorously spend our Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Spring Break working. Whether it may be on Animatronics, Dragsters, Cyberspace, or Speech, we are full speed ahead with nothing but the task at hand in our mind. We even had members devoted and crazy enough to camp out at school on Saturdays and sleep in the courtyard.

In the Film project students are to develop a film on a subject of their choice which may include sound. The participants must demonstrate film skills, tools, and processes to communicate, entertain, inform, analyze, or illustrate a topic, idea, subject, or concept. The challenge is to use the film medium in a way that moves and captivates the audience. This year's Film participant is creating a documentary on our hometown's homeless individuals, including interviews demonstrating their heartbreaking lives.

Ricky:
"I ride the lightning."

In the animatronic event we have to design a robot that looks like a human or an animal with an appropriate display to demonstrate an idea. The purpose of this event is to demonstrate our knowledge of mechanical and controlling systems by designing an animatronic to entertain and to communicate an idea or subject. In last year's event we took first place for our animatronic tooth, Moelar, who demonstrated dental hygiene. This year we are looking for a more complex design. In our project we are featuring four robotic figures that represent students and a teacher discussing the standards of technological literacy.

Chris:
"We are going to take over the world, one robot at a time. THE ALIEN IS MINE."
Anthony:
"I wanted the eyes to shoot lasers. Pew Pew."

Cyberspace Pursuit is an event in which students are required to create a website that shows the school's technology education program, the TSA chapter, and that chapter's ability to obtain knowledge pertaining to technology. This year's Cyberspace Pursuit theme is Open Source and our chapter is focusing its overall design around it. The website includes information on TSA in general, as well as Lake Region's TSA and Technology programs.

This is Will's first time in TSA but he's been in Mr. Chayt's class several times. He has experience in Web Design classes as well. Will's design for Cyberspace Pursuit is a grungy, case-file feel that creates a sense of unity between the website and the theme, Open Source. He's using a unique style of graphics and animations that are eye-catching.

Will:
"Being lazy for a few good months gets you no where."

In the Desktop Publishing event a student designs a notebook that includes a tri-fold pamphlet, a three-column newsletter, and a poster. The student uses their understanding of desktop publishing software and technology to complete the task.

The on-site competition challenges the finalists to create an original graphic project based on an original prompt. Students are given the prompt at the start of the competition and are given 2 hours to complete the project.

This is Desiree's second time in Communication Technology, but her first time in TSA. She was recruited by Mr. Chayt for Desktop Publishing because of her skill in creating themes. She hopes to live up to the high expectations set by the previous desktop publishing participant. She's using her mom's publication as a resource to create a club/society dealing with the care of horses.

Dez:
"Nanners in Pajammers is runnin' downers the stairers."

In the Dragster Design students are to design and produce working drawings as well as build a carbon dioxide-powered dragster according to stated specifications and using only certain materials.

Alex:
"I am very nervous about the competition."

In the Imaging Technology event students are to capture images and process photographic prints that display this year's current theme: Technically Speaking. The student creates a storyboard or outline that includes five black and white prints, five color prints, and five prints of the student's choice.

It is Allie's first time in TSA but not her first time in a class with Mr. Chayt or using photography. With the guidance of a previous Imaging Technology winner, she is giving a twist to this year's theme. She narrowed the theme "Technically Speaking" down into forms of communication through the years including languages as well as technology.

Allie:
"The jitters are not a camera's best friend."

In the Prepared Presentation event students are to give an oral presentation that includes audio or visual enhancement a demonstrate a theme on this year's conference - Imagine It.

This is Shivi's second year in TSA. He has won first place in the Prepared Presentation at the state conference, as well as 5th over all in Nationals. This event demands hours and hours of reciting. Even with all the practice, something can still go wrong. Like they say "all humans make mistakes", while Shivi was at the TSA National conference, he was assigned to give his Prepared Presentation to the high school judges but accidentally went to the middle school room. He was lucky enough to not get disqualified, instead he was reassigned and received 5th place. The speech was prepared a week and a half before the state conference because he didn't know the event existed until then. He is still up to his ways and doesn't have much prepared for his speech.

Shivi:
"Always read the TSA rule book for any event you are in," knowing from experience, "The Book is a Godsend."

In Promotional Graphics students must create a computerized graphic design used as a recruitment tool for TSA based on the 2009 conferences' theme, "Shape the Future."

Dez & Allie:
"Graphics are a great way to get the word out."

In System Control Technology, Students work as a team on site to create a computer-controlled model-solution to a problem. Teams analyze the problem, program the model, explain the program and mechanical features of the model-solution, and leave instructions for evaluators to operate the device.

"YAY LEGOS!"

In Technical Research and Report Writing event students conduct research on a given topic, as well as its subtopics. This year's topic is "The Influence of Mass Media" with the subtopics: influence on the individual and influence on our culture and society. The student must research the given topic as much as possible and create a note card containing as much information as possible on that note card pertaining to the subtopics. A card will be randomly
chosen and the student must write on the chosen topic.

Anthony:
"I r gewd at engrish."