TSA-BCH-2012REV-print - Student's Path from TSA Competitions to a STEM Career

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Mia

A student journey traces how participation in TSA’s System Control Technology and related STEM competitions shapes long-term engineering direction and professional readiness. It describes a high school chapter’s award-winning Electronic Research and Experimentation entry, resulting in a patent for a Pressure Sore Relief System for bedridden patients. The document also explains TSA’s mission, eligibility for competitions, and additional programs linking classroom learning with practical, real-world engineering challenges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Success Beyond the Classroom: One Chapter's Entry - Leads to Patent

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TSA's Mission Statement

A Student's Path from TSACompetitions to a STEM Career TSA alumnus Derek Schacht believes his participationin TSA's System Control Technology contest greatlyinfluenced his college major and career choice.Hisinvolvement in TSA began in 6th grade and continuedthrough high school.He competed in the SystemControl Technology event each year,advancing hisknowledge and winning on the national level as asenior.Derek attended Virginia Tech and obtained hisBachelor of Science degree in computer engineering.Derek has been employed as a TacticalSoftwareEngineer in the Electric Boat Division of GeneralDynamics since graduating from Virginia Tech. When asked how being in TSA helped prepare himfor a career in engineering,Derekhad this to say:"System Control Technology gave me the first glimpseof the capability that devices gain when they have acomputer integrated into their design.TSA's ProblemSolving showed me that the simplest of materials can becombined into a functional device in which creativityand time are the only limits.Additionally,the StructuralEngineering competition taught me to considerallaspects of a problem before making a design." # Success Beyond the Classroom: One Chapter's Entry Leads to Patent TSA provides a pathway for students to solve real-world design and engineering problems.At a recentnational TSA conference,a TSA chapter from HighPoint Regional High School in Sussex,New Jerseywon first place for an entry in the Electronic Researchand Experimentation event.The chapter's entrywas a Pressure Sore Relief System(PSRS)for use bybedridden patients. Ajudge for the event suggested to the students thattheir idea had the merit and depth deserving of apatent.With their teacher's guidance,the studentsformed their own LLC(Limited Liability Company),"No Gadget Too Complicated"They officially filed fora patent with the United States Patent and TrademarkOffice and received a patent. Brian Drelick,High Point Regional High Schooltechnology teacher and TSA advisor,said"From ateacher's perspective,this processhas been terrific.Mystudents are learning and applying STEM concepts tosolve real-world problems." # For more information about TSA call 703/860-9000 or888/860-9010(tollfree) ore-mail us at general@tsaweb.org www.tsaweb.org 1914 Association Drive,Reston,VA 20191 Supporting TeachersInspiring Students Technology Student Association www.tsaweb.org # What is TSA? TSA Middle School andHigh School Competitions Additional TSA STEM Programs andCompetitions Focus on STEM The Technology Student Association(TSA)is a nationalorganization devoted exclusively to the needs ofTSA student members have the opportunity to competestudents in science,technology,engineering andmathematics(STEM).Open to young people enrolled inat exciting state conferences and the annual nationalTEAM+STSA coordinates the TEAMS(Test of Engineering Aptitude,TSA conference.AIITSA competitions—60 middleor have completed technology education courses,TSA'sMathematics and Science)program.This nationaland high school events combined—are correlatedmembership includes over 190,000 middle and highannual high school competition encourages studentswith national science,technology,engineering andschool students in 2,000 schools spanning 48 states.to work collaboratively and apply their math andTSA partners with universities and other organizationsmathematics standards.Expert judging by technologyscience knowledge in practical,creative ways to solveeducators and industry representatives inspires the bestto promote a variety of STEM competitions andreal everyday engineering challenges.opportunities for students and teachers.TSA is supportedfrom participants.Students can work individually or as ateam in such competitions as:by educators,parents and business leaders who believein the need for a technologically literate society.FromSample Middle School EventsLNITEWith funding from the US.ArmyEducational Outreach Programengineers to business managers,o

FAQs

How did TSA influence Derek Schacht’s college major and career choice?

Derek credits System Control Technology with revealing how integrated design capabilities work, and TSA problem solving with showing how creativity and materials can become functional devices. He also highlights Structural Engineering for teaching him to consider all aspects of a problem before designing.

What patent-related project did a TSA chapter develop, and what was its real-world purpose?

A High Point Regional High School chapter created a Pressure Sore Relief System (PSRS) for use by bedridden patients. The judge recommended the idea had patent-worthy depth, leading to the students filing for and receiving a patent.

What does TSA offer for middle school and high school students?

TSA provides competitions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, connected to state conferences and an annual national TEAM+TSA conference. It also offers additional STEM programs and events that encourage students to collaborate and apply math and science in practical engineering challenges.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Mia