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Imagine an activity so captivating that your students spend hours working on it for weeks at a time. That is what can happen when students engage in a Technology Student Association (TSA) Program. As a recognized Career Techincal Student Organization (CTSO), the New Mexico TSA provides student and teacher members the opportunity to explore a wide variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and career interest areas; participate in local, state, and national competitions; participate in leadership training and develop professional skills; and to network with students and teachers from other schools across the state.

 
 

16+

Chapters

NM TSA has over 16 chapters across New Mexico from North to South, East to West, any school is invited to join!

2000+

Members

NM TSA is for middle school and high school students in New Mexico. Students are encouraged to be a part of a STEM class in school, but it is not required to be a member.

70+

competitions

NM TSA hosts 70+ middle and high school competitions aligned with national STEM standards, students gain hands-on experience with the subjects they love and the technology that inspires the future.

 

Benefits for Students

TSA membership provides recognition to students for applying their knowledge and skills outside the classroom, through curricular-aligned competitions. In addition to the inspiration and motivation the over 70 competitive events can provide students, being able to explore several career pathways and practice and apply employability skills is perhaps the most important benefit. Other benefits include:

  • working on complex projects from start to finish

  • practicing working on a team

  • career awareness

  • leadership skills development at the local, state, and national levels

  • developing technology literacy

  • community service opportunities

  • recognition through the National Honors Society, and TSA scholarship and achievement programs

  • advocate for CTSOs and CTE in NM

COMPETE

TSA Members can choose to take their projects and demonstrate their skills by competing at the state and national conferences. Students can choose up to six (6) competitive events to explore different STEM career pathways.

Lead

TSA believes acquiring 21st-century leadership skills is critical to the success of young people and integrates these aptitudes in over 70 TSA competitions. These leadership skills are specifically tailored for each competitive event and evaluated based on official rules and rubrics. Additionally, leadership training is offered at the state and national levels, including the annual NM CTSO Rallies in the fall. Another way for students to practice their leadership skills is by serving as an officer at the chapter, state, and national levels.

 

Benefits for Teachers

Teachers who serve as TSA chapter advisors provide their students with the opportunity to be a part of a national CTSO that encourages excellence in STEM and provides students with hands-on, project-based, career exploration. Since all competitive events are standards-aligned, a TSA program can be integrated into and enhance your career and technical education (CTE) or STEM curriculum.

Resources and Support

When chapters affiliate, they receive online access to Total TSA. This unique tool includes membership materials, competitive events guides, access to past scoring from National competitions, and leadership lessons. In addition to this nationally provided tool, NM TSA provides guidance for new and existing advisors through an online asynchronous course and an advisor resource folder.

 

Dues and Affiliation (SY 24 - 25)

Each school’s chapter must affiliate and pay dues each year. Both State and National dues are paid together, directly to the National TSA office, using a purchase order or credit card. It is recommended that chapters affiliate by the priority affiliation date to receive the materials needed to succeed, including access to Total TSA, competitive event guides, leadership materials, and chapter operations resources.

Red CAP

A chapter can affiliate up to ten (10) members by paying a flat fee plus state dues (additional members can be added during the year for a fee). This is a good “starter” affiliation plan for small chapters, or new chapters who don’t know how much interest there will be.

Student Membership Dues: $120 (national) and $12/student member (New Mexico)
Advisor Fee: $10/advisor (national) and $10/advisor (New Mexico)

White CAP

A chapter can affiliate eleven (11) or more members by paying a per-member fee for state and national dues.

Student Membership Dues: $12/student member (national) and $12/student member (New Mexico)
Advisor Fee: $10/advisor (national) and $10/advisor (New Mexico)

Blue CAP (Institutional Affiliation)

A chapter can affiliate an unlimited number of members for a flat fee. This option is popular for institutions that desire to affiliate students in CTE and STEM classes and enables all students to be members. This membership is great for schools choosing to use Perkins Funding for their TSA chapter.

Student Membership Dues: $400 (national); $500 (New Mexico) (as of SY24-25)
Advisor Fee: $10/advisor (national); $10/advisor (New Mexico) (as of SY24-25)