The Mr. B's TSA Program

TSA--the Technology Student Association--is a national organization which exists, according to its website, to “foster personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in technology, innovation, design and engineering.”  TSA participation can involve everything from doing woodworking and engineering projects to giving presentations.  At EMHS, TSA is led by Tech Ed teacher Dennis Brubaker, its high school advisor, and Brian Buchanan, its middle school advisor.

Brubaker has been with EMHS’ branch of the TSA or its predecessor, the IASA, since the 1980’s.  During that time, he’s tried to incorporate various aspects of TSA into Tech Ed classes.  If you’ve been in an EMHS shop class, you probably remember the officer system; that’s based off of the TSA, which also operates on a nationwide hierarchy.

In addition to providing leadership opportunities, Buchanan says that TSA helps to improve life skills, such as “self-discipline, dedication, and attention to detail,” and gives students experience with aerodynamics and other engineering subjects, experimentation, public speaking, computer use, and other things.  It’s often harder for high school to work TSA into their schedules than for middle school students, but people from both age ranges are involved at EMHS.  Contrary to what might be expected, “girls are just as big a presence at the competitions as guys,” according to Buchanan.  Additionally, while some projects require work in the shop after school, many can be done by students at home, according to their own schedules, while checking in occasionally with the advisors for help.

At the regional TSA competition, which was held at Turner Ashby high school on March 15, EMHS’s contingent did very well, sweeping first, second, and third places in the middle school dragster competition and having every dragster entry in both age groups rank within the top five in speed.  Additionally, entries from EMHS students in various competitions took first and second places in flight endurance, first place in technical design, and second place in the debate challenge.  Seven students are planning to travel to the statewide TSA competition in Hampton, Virginia this May.

One of the students who went to the regional competition, seventh grader Alex Clemens, has been in TSA since sixth grade.  He enjoys it, saying it’s “really fun.”  In addition to providing entertainment, he says that TSA has helped him develop skills in areas such as woodworking.

The display case near the front office is currently filled with the spoils of the regional competition.

- Dustin Crummett