On Saturday, February 8th, Harriton’s chapter of TSA (Technology Student Association) attended the 2014 Pennsylvania TSA Regional Conference. Strayer Middle School, located in Springfield, hosted the conference. The national organization, “fosters personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in technology, innovation, design, and engineering,” as written in its mission statement.

TSA offers a wide range of events including ‘Extemporaneous Speech,’ ‘Manufacturing Prototype,’ ‘Biotechnology Design,’ and ‘Fashion Design.’ Whatever a student’s interest, there is a TSA event that will challenge and excite them!

Harriton’s chapter is sponsored by Mr. Lehman, Mrs. Kiley, Mrs. Occhiogrosso, and Mr. Occhiogrosso. Club members chose the events they wanted to participate in at the beginning of the year. Since then, they have worked individually and in groups in preparation for the regional conference.

The conference started at 8:30AM and ended at 3:45PM. Students competed in on-sight events, ate lunch with friends, and socialized with new people, patiently awaiting the awards ceremony at 2:45PM.

Harriton did exceptionally well this year, placing first overall at the conference! Other schools in attendance included Quakertown, Lower Merion, Pennridge, and Plymouth Whitemarsh.

Amy Metlay, a Harriton junior and dedicated member of TSA, informed The Harriton Banner that her favorite event is ‘Biotechnology Design’ (biotechnology is defined as any technique that uses living organisms to make, modify, improve, or develop products and processes for specific purposes). “Every year there is a new theme for Biotech; this year it is the role of biotechnology in waste and water technology. After researching, my group found a tree called Moringa oleifera, whose seeds can provide people in third world countries with an efficient method for water purification,” explained Amy.

Her group was required to complete a poster and a research binder for the regional conference. They earned second place at Regionals and will continue to modify their project for the state conference in April!

Harriton TSA members placed and qualified in a total of 33 events and will continue to improve their projects and presentations for the upcoming PA-TSA state conference in April at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

The state conference is led in part by the PA-TSA officer team. This year seniors Sitara Soundararajan, Won Chung, and Max Hunt serve as the PA-TSA state president, reporter, and historian, respectively. In the past, many Harriton students have served as both state and national TSA officers, representing Harriton’s longstanding commitment to the organization.

Harriton congratulates its TSA members on their outstanding performance at the regional conference and wishes them luck at the approaching state conference!