The KidWind Challenge, which officially kicked off in 2009, is an annual event which allows students to explore the power of wind by building and testing their own wind turbines and then competing against other middle- and high-school teams. The Kansas Energy program began hosting this event in Kansas in 2018. For more information regarding the national event and rules, visit www.kidwindchallenge.org.
New for 2019, Kansas will host regional KidWind Challenges throughout the state! This will lower the barrier for schools from the far corners of the state to participate. Winners from each of the regional challenges will then compete at the statewide competition to determine which teams will be invited to the national KidWind Challenge. The national KidWind Challenge will take place in Houston, TX during the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) conference on May 20-23, 2019.
We are currently seeking sponsors to assist in providing funding for the 2019 KidWind challenges. Funding will be used to provide teams with lunch, compensate teachers or judges for travel and substitutes, and give winning teams scholarships to assist in travel to the statewide and/or national competitions.
2019 draft schedule (subject to change):
- February 7, 2019: Southwest Regional KidWind Challenge (Village Square Mall in Dodge City)
- February 14, 2019: Northeast Kansas Regional KidWind Challenge (Sunset Zoo in Manhattan)
- March 1, 2019: Southeast Kansas Regional KidWind Challenge (Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant)
- March 7, 2019: Northwest Regional KidWind Challenge (Northwest Educational Service Center in Oakley, Kansas)
- March 29, 2019: Statewide KidWind Challenge (location to be determined)
Potential locations (please contact us if you have specific facility recommendations):
- Northwest Kansas: Oakley or Colby
- Northeast Kansas: Manhattan
- Southwest Kansas: Dodge City
- Southeast Kansas: Chanute, Iola, Parsons, etc.
Past Kansas KidWind events