How do I get started?
The first step each year is to affiliate with National TSA. Affiliation opens in mid-August each year and doing so registers the students and advisors in your chapter as official TSA members.
National TSA offers affiliation financial assistance through the Champion Fund. Learn more about the Champion Fund here.
What's Next?
The next step is to grow your chapter. Best practices for recruiting students to TSA include:
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Have a consistent meeting schedule (e.g. Each Monday 3:00pm - 4:00pm)
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Elect Chapter Officers (At least 6 positions, mirroring the State Officer Team is recommended)
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Establish a Program of Work (A clear plan of activities for your chapter to maintain high engagement from students throughout the year.)
Here are a variety of promotional resources you can use to promote your chapter.
The State Officer team is happy to connect at an in-person or virtual meeting to help support your chapter. They are able to present on a variety of topics including: Getting Started, How to be Successful with Competitive Events, Leadership Training, and more!
Conferences and Competition
Colorado TSA provides students with opportunities to build leadership skills, explore careers, connect with other members, and demonstrate what they have learned through conferences and competitive events.
Fall Leadership Conference: Designed to help chapter members and officers strengthen their leadership, teamwork communication, and chapter-management skills. Students participate in interactive sessions and activities that prepare them to lead successful TSA chapters throughout the school year. Learn more here.
Colorado TSA State Conference: Brings middle and high school members from across the state together for three days of competition, leadership development, networking, and recognition. Students compete in a wide variety of ETMA (Engineering, Technology, and Media Arts)-focused events that can advance to the national level. Learn more here.
TSA National Conference: Hosted by the National Technology Student Association and brings together members from across the country and globe. Participants compete against top students from other states, attend leadership sessions, explore ETMA and career opportunities, and celebrate the achievements of TSA members nationwide. Learn more here.
Competitive Events: Competitive Events are an important part of each conference experience. Events allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in areas such as engineering, technology, media arts, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Depending on the event students may create projects in advance, complete challenges on site, deliver presentations, participate in interviews, and work as part of a team. Colorado TSA offers more than 80 academic standard aligned competitions. Learn more here.
Throughout the Year
Throughout the school year, TSA chapters should provide members with regular opportunities to participate, develop leadership skills, and prepare for upcoming conferences. Chapters should use their Program of Work as a guide for completing planned activities, such as chapter meetings, leadership development, community service, fundraising, recruitment, social events, and career exploration.
Members should also spend time selecting and preparing for TSA competitive events. Depending on the event, preparation may include researching a topic, designing and building a project, developing a portfolio, practicing a presentation, studying event guidelines, or completing practice challenges. Chapters are encouraged to establish preparation timelines, hold regular progress checks, and provide members with feedback before competition.
By staying active throughout the year, following the chapter’s Program of Work, and preparing early for competitive events, chapters can create a meaningful TSA experience that helps members build skills, strengthen relationships, and arrive at conferences ready to participate.
Here are resources to help your from your first meeting to the end of the year (under development):
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