Rachel Carson Middle School’s Technology Student Association (TSA) chapter participates in a state Technosphere competition from May 1 to 4 in Hampton, VA.
Ms. Sona Sharma, TSA’s co-advisor, likes the competition.
“The experience is incredible,” she said, “especially if you see how hard the students are working.”
TSA is a student organization on STEM based events, which has a “chapter” in each participating school.
Technosphere is a state-wide competition, a part of TSA, comprising both middle and high school chapters.
Technopshere has events that range from STEM Animation and Video Game Design, to Digital Photography and Essays on Technology.
To qualify for Technosphere, one would have to place top five in fall events or regionals.
TSA officer Adyan Khan, 13, an eighth-grader on the Discovery Team, agrees.
“I learned a lot,” said Adyan.
Ms. Sharma agrees that TSA competitions are a great learning experience.
“It is an honor to work with the students and their families,” said Ms. Sharma, “to be part of their journeys.”
Although it is great to learn, it is also difficult to win.
“If you do one thing wrong, judges can take off points,” said Adyan.
Mouktika Kamarupalle, 14, on the Dolphins Team, who is also an officer, agrees.
“The judges expect different things every year,” she said, “you have to be prepared for anything.”
As well as being prepared, time management is also important.
“You are rushing to finish all of your events,” said Adyan.
According to Ms. Sharma, the chapter performed well in the regional competition.
“At regionals, we did a clean sweep on STEM animation,” she said.
The TSA team also had a lot of fun in previous competitions.
Kashvi Baveja, 13, on the Discovery Team, shares her fun memory of last year’s Technosphere.
“We made a vlog of technosphere,” she said, “we all celebrated with the whole chapter!”
Mouktika also agrees that competitions are fun!
“It was a good time,” said Mouktika.
Mouktika shares how they think they will do at Technosphere.
“I think we’re gonna do good,” Mouktika said, “because the past members shared their experiences and tips.”
Kashvi agrees.
“We have hope that we will perform well,” she said.
The team has opinions on what they think they will perform best in.
“I think we will be most successful in digital photography and STEM,” said Mouktika.
Even though winning is important in Technosphere, Ms. Sharma has other interests.
“It’s not about winning, it is about learning,” Ms. Sharma said.
After Technosphere, Adyan is also running for state officer of Virginia.
This will be happening at Nationals.
Members only get to attend Nationals if they can reach the top three in their event.
