With wind energy produced in Kansas increasing, the number of students participating in the Kansas KidWind Challenge is growing as well. The annual event has grown to six regional events last year. 96 teams from 55 schools are competing.
The 2023 KidWind Challenge begins this week with two regional competitions in western Kansas, in Dodge City today, and in Oakley on Thursday. Four more regional events will be held in Overland Park, Hutchinson, Manhattan, and Burlington. The top two teams in each age group advance to the state finals scheduled for March 25 in Topeka. The state winners will then advance to the national competition to be held May 14-17 in Boulder, Colorado.
To participate in the KidWind Challenge, student teams work together to design, build and test a wind turbine using the materials of their choice. Each team’s turbine is put to the test in a wind tunnel. Scoring is based on turbine performance, a knowledge quiz, a presentation to judges where the team explains its design process, and an instant challenge. Students in grades 4-12 are eligible to participate.
