By Matt Frankenbery, President & CEO, Pitsco Education
I had the privilege of attending the 2025 Technology Student Association (TSA) National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee from June 27-29. Like every year that we participate, I walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and pride in the work we do at Pitsco. Being surrounded by thousands of students, educators, and families who are passionate about STEM and leadership is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
But what really stuck with me from Nashville were the personal stories—connections that span generations and geography, all tied together by STEM learning and Pitsco products.
A Legacy of Learning: Father and Daughter
One of the most memorable moments was meeting a father from New Jersey who had competed in Dragsters back in the 1980s. Fast forward to this year—his daughter, now a TSA competitor from Virginia, had no idea her father had ever participated until she came home and told him about the Dragster she was building. Incredibly, both of them have now won their respective Dragster competitions, decades apart. I was there to capture the moment when his daughter finished in the Top 10 in the Middle School Division. Seeing them together, sharing that pride, was an incredible moment that reminds us how lasting these experiences can be.
Overnight Success: Mother and Son
Another highlight was reconnecting with a mother I’d spoken to earlier this year. She had urgently contacted Pitsco to overnight supplies for her son’s Dragster in time for the Virginia State competition. Thanks to her quick thinking (and our quick shipping), her son went on to compete at the state level. In Nashville, I got to meet them both in person—and the story came full circle when he won the Middle School Division at Nationals! Their excitement was contagious. One particularly touching moment came when our own Betsy Rice, Customer Support Specialist, shared with the mother that she too, had built a Dragster as a middle school student years ago. The mother was visibly moved by this connection—it was another reminder of how these STEM journeys create lasting bonds.
Coaches, Parents, and Champions
I also had the pleasure of meeting a dedicated set of Parent-Advisors from Bradenton, Florida. They volunteer their time to coach their local TSA team, and their two sons made quite an impression—finishing 1st and 2nd in three separate events at the Florida State Conference and competing in all three at Nationals. I was able to watch them compete in the Flight and Dragsters events, and capture photos and video of them in action. Their passion, teamwork, and family spirit were evident in everything they did.
As I left the conference, I was struck by the power of these stories—not just as moments of competition, but as milestones that bring families together, inspire future engineers and leaders, and spark memories that last a lifetime.
At Pitsco, we don’t just provide materials—we help build experiences. And I’m more committed than ever to deepening our partnership with TSA to empower even more students on their STEM journeys.
Thank you to everyone who made TSA Nationals in Nashville such a memorable experience. I can’t wait to see what we’ll build together next.