The Sycamore Lane Middle School Technology Student Association recently spent five days in Baltimore, Maryland at the National TSA Conference. Monica Whitehead, advisor of the SLMS TSA, accompanied six students to this competition.

The students attending were Azeem Hassan, Matthew Phillips, Lindsay Stone, Mallorie Veshinski, Matthew Warren, and Johnathan Williams. These students had an exceptional showing placing as Top Ten Finalists in four events, Whitehead said.

As top ten finalists at this conference, each of these students got to hear their names called and got to be up on the national stage in front of approximately 4300 participants.

Their events were:

Communication Challenge: Lindsay Stone

This was an individual event in which Lindsay had to demonstrate her skill in making a newsletter, business cards, sponsorship request letter, and an on-site advertisement.

Go-Green Manufacturing: Lindsay Stone and Mallorie Veshinski

This was a team event in which the students had to make a product from items that a local business was throwing away. This team got corks from The Daily Grind and matte board from Art by Design as their scrap items. They transformed these discarded items into beautifully constructed dartboards ready for use. In addition to the product, they had to make a notebook documenting their work including working drawings, advertisements, and purpose of the product.

Inventions & Innovations: Azeem Hassan, Matthew Warren, and Johnathan Williams

This team had to come up with an entirely new product, make a prototype of it, make a commercial about it, and convince the judges that it was not only a viable invention, but one that consumers would love. Their invention was the Roller-Toaster; a toaster that automatically butters and jellies the bread.

Medical Technology Issues: Matthew Phillips and Johnathan Williams

This was a team event in which the students had to research and document a new, interesting medical technology. They made a notebook and display about Nanodiamond Technology. This is a revolutionary, new way to use “diamond soot” to help treat cancers. This team also went through an interview process by a team of judges.

In addition to competing and attending meetings, the Sycamore Lane Middle School students had a chance to sightsee in Baltimore. They attended a Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards, toured the historic ships The Constellation and The Torsk, visited the National Aquarium where they saw a dolphin show, took a ferry ride on the Inner Harbor to Fells point for dinner, toured the local fire station, and went to the Top of the World Observation Tower for a view of the whole city.

“It was a trip that the students will never forget," Monica Whitehead said. "They not only had a great time, but they represented themselves and Sycamore Lane well. I am so proud of them.”

The Sycamore Lane Middle School TSA was also named Third Place Middle School Chapter of the Year at the TSA State Conference in Greensboro in March.