Back to School Guide
Welcome to a New School Year
Welcome to a new school year with Georgia TSA! We are excited to begin another year of leadership, competition, innovation, and student achievement across the state. This Back to School and Affiliation Guide is designed to help advisors start the year strong by providing important information, key reminders, and helpful resources for building an active and successful TSA chapter.
Please take time to review the information included in this guide and print the Georgia TSA calendar to post in your classroom or chapter meeting space. Our calendar is filled with conferences, deadlines, competitions, leadership opportunities, and special events that your chapter will not want to miss. Staying organized early in the year will help your students make the most of every opportunity Georgia TSA has to offer.
For the most current announcements, updates, forms, and conference information, please visit the Georgia TSA website at www.gatsa.org throughout the year. Advisors are also encouraged to share chapter activities, student accomplishments, service projects, and special events so they can be featured in the News section of the Georgia TSA website. An active chapter helps tell the story of Georgia TSA and highlights the outstanding work happening in schools across the state.
Please submit news articles and photos to Steve Price so we can celebrate your chapter and share your success with the Georgia TSA community.
Message from the President
Addison White
GATSA State President 26-27
Phillip Peavey
GATSA Board President 26-27
Back to School & Affiliation Information
Links & Resources
TSA Affiliation Requires On-line Affiliation
The National TSA on-line system opens August 15th to accept your chapter affiliation!
AFFILIATION IS NOT COMPLETE UNTIL PAYMENT IS PROCESSED BY NATIONAL TSA.
Payment to National TSA may be made with a credit card or an approved/signed Purchase Order followed by a check.
- All Georgia Advisors receiving Extended Day Grant Supplement must have completed chapter registration prior to October 1, 2025 to satisfy the requirements of your Program of Work.
- Affiliate early so that you can receive access to your new “Total TSA” tab on the National Website Account, which includes the current Competitive Events Guide and membership benefits like membership cards.
- You can add additional members to your roster at any time during the year. After October 1, however, only affiliated members may register for the Fall Leadership Conference or the Annual State Conference.
- National TSA Affiliation
- NEW CHAPTER -> Instructions
- EXISTING CHAPTER -> Instructions
- If you are re-affiliating - IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE SCHOOL NAME FROM ITS CURRENT LISTING.
- When you affiliate you will receive access to the Total TSA Package which includes:
- Membership Materials: The Membership Materials section provides guidelines for promoting, running and maintaining your chapter. It also includes chapter organization tips, promotional and marketing ideas, and descriptions of TSA's awards and recognitions.
- Competitive Events: TSA offers its members challenging technology and leadership competitions. TSA's competitive events are reviewed and revised every two years by the Competition Regulations Committee (CRC), a standing group of technology educators with hands-on classroom experience. The Competitive Events portion of TOTAL TSA presents guidelines for all national TSA conference competitions, as well as a comprehensive view of each event's connection to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) standards. Additionally, leadership skills and career choices are featured for each event. Relevant for local state and national competitions, the competitive events materials provide an excellent motivational tool for curricular activities in the classroom.
- Lesson Plan Examples: TSA is beginning to produce lesson plans involving TSA Competitive Events as the hands on student centered activities.
- TSA HAS UNIFIED MEMBERSHIP DUES. This means that Georgia TSA and National TSA membership are processed together through the National TSA website. To become a member of Georgia TSA, you must also join National TSA. Be sure to include dues for advisors and alumni.
- AFFILIATION PLAN OPTIONS: TSA offers three curriculum-integrated membership programs. Each chapter chooses the program that works best for them.
- Red Chapter Affiliation Program (Red CAP) - $200.00
- Affiliates ten (10) members by paying a flat fee (additional members, over 10, may be added during the year for the individual fee of $20 each).
- White Chapter Affiliation Program (White CAP) - $20 each
- A chapter affiliates eleven or more members by paying a per-member fee for state and national dues.
- Blue Chapter Affiliation Program (Blue CAP) - $700.00
- PLEASE FOLLOW THE GEORGIA DOE RULES* REGARDING MEMBERSHIP REPORTING TO THE NATIONAL TSA AFFILIATION SITE FOR BLUE CAP CHAPTERS.
- A chapter affiliates an unlimited number of members in a Middle School or High School Engineering Pathway Program for one flat fee (typically cost effective when there are more than 35 or more chapter members). This option is popular in chapters where students rotate through a STEM class for a portion of the year, like a Middle School, to enable all students to be members, and or large High School Chapters.
- *GA DOE RULE for BLUE CAP: When you upload your roster, you list all students that are enrolled in the Engineering Pathway Classes offered at your school during the entire year, including all students in multi-teacher programs. In addition you also count the members of TSA that are not currently enrolled in those classes.
- Red Chapter Affiliation Program (Red CAP) - $200.00
- The chapter affiliation program can grow and evolve as your chapter grows. If your chapter originally selected the Red CAP and grows beyond those 10 members you become White CAP chapters automatically when they affiliate eleven or more members. Red CAP or White CAP chapters may convert to Blue CAP at any time. It’s recommended that a chapter with more than 41 members should convert to Blue CAP and never have to pay for additional members.
- REVIVING A DORMANT CHAPTER: Often there are personnel changes at schools that cause the TSA Chapter at that school to disband or simply shut down due to a lack of a chapter sponsor or engineering & technology education program. In cases where there has been a lapse in membership, and the school wants to affiliate once again, the chapter sponsor should contact the National TSA Office and ask for Maria Raza, The National TSA representative in charge of membership services. Her email is: mraza@tsaweb.org. Give her the new information and ask to be set up in the National TSA Management System.
- A username and password will be issued by National TSA for Manage My Chapter access on the National website, to the new advisor for that school. Contact the State Executive Director for assistance for GA TSA Event Management System Access (Different from National Access) - sprice@gatsa.org.
- There is no additional fee for re-affiliating other than the normal annual affiliation dues.
- The absolute member affiliation deadline is October 13th for Fall Leadership participants and February 9th for a member to be able to register for the State Conference. The deadlines reflect the necessary turn-around time between adding a new name to your roster and it being posted on the National TSA Database, which is used to populate myGATSA. If you have any problems or questions, please contact Steve Price, State Executive Director at 678-551-0840 or sprice@gatsa.org.
- CHAPTERS OWING OUTSTANDING DEBTS. If a chapter has a delinquent debt from previous events/conferences, that chapter will not be able to register for future events/conferences until the outstanding debt has been paid or arrangements with GA TSA have been made and approved by the GA TSA Board of Directors. Accounts over 90 days past due will receive an email reminder notice. Over 120 days a copy will be sent to the principal.
Does your school qualify for the National TSA Champion Fund? The Champion Fund is a one-time Opportunity for Free TSA Red CAP Membership
- The Technology Student Association (TSA) currently has funds available for eligible schools to pay for Red CAP TSA membership (ten students and one advisor) for one year. The Champion Fund is made available through donations from individuals, schools, and businesses to provide membership funds to chapters that qualify. See the Champion Fund Section for further information
You will be responsible for all registration fees based on your on-line registration!
GA TSA provides four in-state conferences during the school year. Each has posted registration and general conference information, what is included with the registration fee and deadlines prior to each conference. Registration is done via our Event Management System site. The deadline is clearly stated. Advisors may make changes up to the deadline. Your registration is official when you accept the payment disclaimer. At that point an invoice is automatically generated and is located in your account’s billing folder. After the deadline passes, whatever has been entered at that point is automatically submitted. Conference space and purchases are made in good faith by GA TSA for all who are registered. Therefore, chapters are responsible for making full payment for the names that appear on the registration site after that date, whether they attend the specific conference or not.
Make check payable to and mail to:
GA TSA
PO Box 467
Jesup, GA 31598
- Before the invoice date listed in the EMS for a specific conference
- Or pay using the electronic payment link in the myGATSA Billing Section.
Unless alternate arrangements have been made in writing with the Executive Director, payment of registration is expected to be received prior to the conference by way of our Post Office Box address,
GA TSA
PO Box 467
Jesup, GA 31598
When paying for TSA membership dues poses a challenge, the Champion Fund may provide an opportunity to bring TSA to middle and high schools. Through the Champion Fund, Red CAP membership costs (up to 10 members and one advisor) for approved schools are covered for one school year. Newly affiliated chapters can discover all that TSA membership has to offer, including challenging and diverse STEM-related competitions, career and technical skill development, and a customized leadership program.
Your school may be eligible if:
- The school has never had a TSA chapter and there is no school or community financial support available to pay membership dues.
- The school has not had a TSA chapter for at least five years and there is no school or community financial support available to pay membership dues.
- The school has had a TSA chapter within the last five years, but is currently experiencing economic hardship because of a disaster.
Submitted applications are reviewed by a to determine eligibility and are processed on a first come, first served basis depending upon available funding. All applications require a principal’s signature. Schools receiving financial support from the Champion Fund are kept anonymous.
Apply
Use the Champion Fund application tsa championship-fund---fillable.pdf (tsaweb.org). Completed applications may either be faxed to 703-758-4852 or emailed to Membership Manager Maria Raza at mraza@tsaweb.org
Donate
Through your donations, the Champion Fund continues to help start TSA chapters at schools with financial considerations. Tax deductible donations may be made by individuals (such as members, officers, advisors, alumni, or parents), local chapters, state delegations, schools, communities, businesses, or other individuals or groups. Donors will receive an electronic receipt.
Click here to make your online contribution.
For more information about the Champion Fund, contact Maria Raza.
Information is one thing GA TSA is not short of. We have an outstandingsource for 24/7 information access 24/7 through our website: www.gatsa.org There is a separate link for advisors, where the Annual Program of Work Calendar, contact information, forms, conference information and professional sites can be reached at your convenience.
The National Association website is where a chapter goes to affiliate and is full of invaluable information and resources. www.tsaweb.org. To register a new chapter or perform the annual affiliation requirements, go to: http://www.registermychapter.com/tsa/nat/
Throughout the year, be on the lookout for group email messages, news, updates and opportunities are sent to everyone who is listed on CTAERN (Georgia’s Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Resource Network). Contact your school or school system’s CTAE supervisor to make sure that your email address is listed and correct so you don’t miss important information. In addition to being a common link to our teachers/chapter advisors, the website offers access to professional development course opportunities. www.ctaern.org
You are represented on the national and international level by the International Technology & Engineering Educators Association: http://www.iteaconnect.org/. ITEEA offers affordable professional liability insurance as well as useful curriculum resources and networking opportunities with other members. TSA Advisors may receive a Membership Discount that runs through October. Contact the ITEEA main office to confirm it’s available and ask for the promo code..
Engineering and Technology Education in Georgia is one of the Career Pathways and has an affiliate in the Georgia Association of Career & Technical Educators. http://www.gacte.org/ . Dues affiliate you with ACTE, GACTE and Georgia eTED. Your interests are represented by a lobbyist at the capital.
Georgia Department of Education - Engineering & Technology Education
National TSA
The National TSA Website is the site for:
- Chapter Affiliation, Chapter Membership Database updating, and updating School/Advisor information.
- The Total TSA Package – (link is provided after affiliation is completed) – includes Contest Rules and Regulations, Membership Materials and resources and Leadership Lesson Plans.
- Competitive Event Lists/Descriptions, Themes, Rules Updates and Clarifications
- Contact Information for the National Competitive Events Managers and Coordinators.
- National Conference Information and Registration
- Signature Event Programs Information
Georgia TSA
The Georgia TSA Website is the site for:
- State Association Leadership and contact information
- GA TSA News
- Dates and Locations for Upcoming Events
- Awards & Recognition Opportunities
- Advisor Resource Links
- Required Advisor Forms for Conference Participation
- Application Forms for State Officers and Board of Directors
myGATSA
The myGATSA Website is the site for:
- Registration for all conferences
- Registration for events
- GATSA communications
- Event submission uploads
- Event Managment (if you are an Event Manager for SLC)
- Event scoring results
Socal Media
You will find links to GATSA's social media at the top of this website for easy "click to access".
- Facebook: Georgia TSA
- Facebook Alumni: GA TSA Alumni
- Instagram: @georgiatsa
- Youtube: Georgia TSA
- Snap: georgiatsa
Georgia TSA encourages qualified, experienced members to run for state office. Information regarding the responsibilities and commitments required of a state officer are found on the GA TSA Website. Officer Candidate Preliminary Interviews will be held in Athens on January 24, 2026. The current application can be found on the State Officer Team page will be available after FLC. Applications are due by December 19th.
Information
Conferences
C.O.R.E.
First, bring your local officer team to the Chapter Officer Retreat for Excellence (C.O.R.E.). This conference is a chance for your students to take ownership of their chapter and annual program of work (POW). Aside from creating and planning a detailed POW chapters will participate in teambuilding exercises. C.O.R.E is a great opportunity for the local officer team to bond and take their leadership experiences back with them to their local school.
Tech Day
In October join GA TSA for Technology Day. This event is held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia. At Tech Day students have the opportunity to compete in various competitions to win Fair Award Ribbons and cash awards for themselves and their chapter. A GATSA rally helps get students pumped up and then compete in 11 uniquely GA TSA contests! They can be found along with the Fair’s Competitive Event Registration Site. In addition, attendees have the opportunity to purchase all-day ride passes through GA TSA in advance to enjoy the fair rides.
Six Flags CTSO Day
The fun does not stop there. GA TSA in cooperation with HOSA and FCCLA are teaming up for an exclusive Fall Rally at Six Flags Over Georgia. This event is held after Tech Day. At The Six Flags Rally, students have the opportunity to compete in different competitions than Tech Day, to win awards. The registration fee includes Six Flags Admission on a date that it is not open to the public, lunch, rides and TSA Contests.
Fall Leadership Conference
Our annual Fall Leadership Conference is designed to provide Georgia TSA members and advisors the opportunity to increase their leadership, communication, and team building skills by attending hands-on workshops, seminars and general sessions. This conference also provides for chapter members and advisors to gain knowledge and skills in relation to our Competitive Events Program by attending hands-on workshops, seminars, and sessions during our Technical Sessions. There are also VEX Qualifier and VEX IQ tournaments, EV Rally and the Armada Boat Race events as well.
State Leadership Conference
Georgia TSA's Annual State Leadership Conference program of leadership development and competitive events provide students opportunities beyond the traditional classroom/laboratory setting. Held in March at Athens Classic Center, our Competitive Events Program provides a platform for our student members to display the aptitudes, interests, and talents gained through our Engineering and Technology Pathway Courses. Chapters go for individual event trophies as well as the overall Outstanding Chapter Title.
National TSA Conference
TSA members throughout the nation all agree that for them, the highlight of the school year is unquestionably, the annual National Technology Student Association Conference. This culminating event is packed with competitive events and challenging activities that foster personal growth and leadership development in addition to a chance to exhibit talents and win recognition at the national level. Held in late June, the TSA National Conferences which take place in a different city around the country each year.
Other Conferences and Opportunities
VEX Robotics
Georgia TSA provides the VEX Robotics Competition as well as VEX IQ qualifying tournaments at Fall Leadership Conference in November. Vex Robotics engages middle and high school students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education through an exciting, head-to head robotics contest that captures student attention and both enhances—and allows them to use—their skills in STEM areas. In addition, the competition complements the existing technology related competitive events offered by TSA at both levels of instruction. Registered VEX teams are eligible to complete in nationwide VEX Qualifying Events and potentially qualify teams for the VEX World Championships.
TEAMS
TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) is an annual competition for middle and high school students designed to help them discover their potential for engineering. Using science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and 21st century learning skills, students work collaboratively to problem solve real-world engineering challenges. The TEAMS competition is based on the annual theme.
GATSA Electric Vehicle Rally
GA TSA ELECTRIC VEHICLE RALLY is a type of ELECTRIC MARATHON in which the winner is determined by how far you go in a certain time with a given amount of battery power.
ELECTRATHON class competition specific design rules are used to ensure safe and fair competition. ELECTRIC VEHICLE events are also held around the state and are an exciting new environmentally progressive sport. GA TSA EV Rallies have two divisions - Acid Core Batteries and Advanced Lithium Ion Batteries.
The EV Rallies provide a forum where skill and ingenuity may be displayed, compared and tested. GA TSA has two annual races. Fall Leadership Conference on Jekyll Island and the highlight of the year is the State Conference Rally, held at Lanier Speedway. Contact Brent Hinkle at bhinkel@rabuncountyschools.org or Harmon Tison - harmon.tison@hallco.org
Join us at Tech Day in Perry at the GA National Fair to kick off the week. Plan to tag the GA TSA Instagram Account @GeorgiaTSA1 with the daily GA TSA Week Themes:
- #MissonMonday
- #TEAMTuesday
- #WisdomWednesday
- #ThrivingThursday
- #FullCircleFriday
Plan a community event
This is an excellent time to make the community and business leaders in your community aware of your TSA chapter. With the leadership of your chapter officers, you may wish to:
- Invite local business/community/industry leaders to a chapter meeting or school assembly to discuss technology in the workplace and what lies ahead for technology in the 21st century.
- Visit local business and industry to learn first hand how technology is applied.
- Host a community open-house after school to showcase chapter activities. Invite parents, community leaders, business and industry representatives, and neighboring schools. d. Visit a local elementary school and offer to assist them with a technology activity (for information on the Great Technology Adventure program for grades K-6, please contact National TSA).
- Write an article about your chapter and the importance of technology for your local or school newspaper. Include a group picture of your TSA chapter.
- Set up an information booth about TSA and encourage others to join.
- Hang posters and banners about TSA Week in your school.
- Wear TSA t-shirts or other attire to publicize your chapter.
- Host an appreciation luncheon for teachers, members, and business leaders who make your chapter the success it is.
Formal Recognition
Formally recognize the principal of your school with a certificate (available, if you chose a free principal membership on your affiliation form). Principals are vital in supporting your TSA chapter. A formal presentation, honoring your principal as an honorary member of TSA, and reading the enclosed proclamation will help solidify your TSA chapter within the school. Plan to have your chapter officers do this at a school function or chapter meeting. Invite local business, community, and industry leaders to attend the presentation.
Local Press Releases
Send press releases to local newspapers, radio, and television stations letting them know of your upcoming event. Use this sample press release. Make sure to customize it with your chapter's name and other pertinent information (i.e., if your chapter invites a guest speaker, make sure to note who is participating, when and where it is taking place, etc.) Invite the press to attend any events you plan during the week and let them know who to contact for more information.
Formal Thank You
Send all participants a formal, written "thank you" after the event. Send a certificate of appreciation that you may use or customize.
Share With GATSA
Send news and/or pictures of what your chapter did for TSA Week to GA TSA – sprice@gatsa.org and gatsa.reporter@gatsa.org as well as the National Technology Student Association, 1914 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1540. All submissions become the property of TSA and may be used in TSA publications or promotional displays.