Wanting to attend one of our group KidWind Q&A Zoom sessions to help you prepare for the KidWind Challenge? No registration is required, just click this Zoom link at one of the times listed below. You'll need the passcode of "kskidwind" to join. Zoom Meeting ID: 922 0039 3743. If you missed our more formal KidWind Webinar on January 6, you can watch it here. The 30-minute follow-up Q&A sessions will be held at 3:30pm on the following days:
- Thu, Jan. 13
- Tue, Jan. 18
- Wed, Jan. 26
One-on-One Zoom Sessions
If you can’t make one of the group meeting times work or you’d just prefer meeting with us individually, we’ve set up several open 30-minute time slots. You can sign up for one here. If those times don’t work, email us and we’ll figure something out.
What exactly is KidWind?
The KidWind Challenge, which officially kicked off in 2009, is an annual event that allows students to explore the power of wind by building and testing their own wind turbines and then competing against other teams in their age division (4th-8th or 9th-12th). The top two winners in each age division from each of the regional challenges move on to compete at the statewide competition. Winning teams at the statewide KidWind Challenge are invited to the National KidWind Challenge. For 2022, there will be six regional challenges in Kansas, as listed below. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at ksenergyprog@ksu.edu.
- North East Regional - Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - Overland Park, KS
- South Central Regional - Thursday, February 24, 2022 - Hutchinson, KS
- South West Regional - Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - Dodge City, KS
- North West Regional - Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Oakley, KS
- North Central Regional - Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - Manhattan, KS
- South East Regional - March 11, 2022 - Burlington, KS
The 2021 season went virtual with the following teams advancing to represent Kansas in Nationals:
- 4th-8th grade Division 1st place - BTU Crew - Dighton Middle School, USD 482
- 4th-8th grade Division 2nd place - Team 2 - Beloit Junior-Senior High School, USD 273
- 9th-12th grade Division 1st place - Hawkmores - Wheatland High School, USD 292
- 9th-12th grade Division 2nd place - Just Levi - Paola Middle School, USD 368
- SPECIAL INVITE - Most Improved Overall - 9th-12 grade Division - Wind Jammers - Iola High School, USD 257
Resources
Here are resources you might find useful (Links for 2022 will be updated as available):
- KidWind Challenge Official Rules
- 2021 Kansas rules and logistics summary (PDF)
- Tips for a Successful Challenge (PDF)
- 2020 Informational webinar (video and PDF)
- 2021 National KidWind Challenge rules
- 2020 Resources (including curriculum) related to wind energy (PDF)
- Sources used for the 2020 Knowledge Quiz (Regional Challenge) (PDF)
- Example 2021 judging scoresheet (PDF)
- 2021 Photo release form (PDF)
- 2021 Turbine Performance Testing Variables form (PDF) Fillable version
- 2021 Documentation Scoring Rubric (PDF)
- KidWind turbine generators can be purchased online (or you can contact us - we will provide one per team)
I'm Interested! What Now?
Registration links for the upcoming KidWind events can be found here under 2022. We’re excited to help you and your students learn more about renewable energy!
Past Kansas KidWind Challenge results