The members of the SHS Technology Student Association gain honors in state competition
Ten yellow jacket students represented the Starkville High School during the student technology technology competition (TSA) in March and three honors of the top 5 in competition. The TSA is a national career organization and technical students for high school students engaged in STEM studies, and the SHS group is one of the 81 chapters of state high schools.
SHS Technology Student Association State Honors:
Amy Choi –– 1st place, prepared presentation
Amy Choi –– 2nd place, extemporaneous speech
Already Tate and Jordan Everette – 4th place, science and data analysis
The SHS Technology Student Association, directed by Tara Agnew, a computer and technological instructor of the academic house of High Technology, Engineering and Construction (TEC) of Starkville, serves students enrolled in several paths related to technology and offers a variety of opportunities to acquire experience in general skills as well as practical learning in STEM activities.
In addition to the categories receiving honors in the state, the students of the club also obtained the district honors in the design of biotechnology and CAD architecture in January, helping them to qualify for state competition.
Mississippi ASD programs are the only career and technical student organization dedicated exclusively to students registered in technological training courses. The organization’s mission is to promote personal growth, leadership and STEM opportunities for members. Students learn, apply and integrate the engineering design process, information technology concepts and general skills thanks to practical projects and competitions.
Ms. Agnew sees the potential of the organization to arouse opportunities in STEM career paths for girls and under-represented groups, in particular.
“Currently, 65% of STEM careers are occupied by men, with only 35% of women employed in the same area,” said Agnew. “Black women are also under-represented. We believe that programs like what we offer in Student Association technology can help us have an impact on the lives of young girls while we present STEM careers like robotics and coding.”
AGNEW hopes that experiences acquire students through competitions like this will instill confidence and also increase the number of women and minorities entering the STEM fields after obtaining the diploma.
Starkville High students who won state prizes are qualified to compete in the TSA national competition in Nashville in June.