Alaska KidWind Challenge 

In 2011 over 50 teams, representing 11 schools from 9 communities participated in Alaska’s first annual KidWind Challenge. The KidWind Challenge is a wind turbine design contest for students in grades 6-12. During the competition, students work together to design and construct their own wind turbines in teams of up to four. Students are introduced to energy science and engineering concepts through the process of testing and perfecting their turbines.  The Challenge allows them to put their knowledge to use through a fun, hands-on competition with their peers. Students determine the size, shape, and number of blades to maximize the efficiency of their turbine, competing against each other and students in other schools. The turbines are tested in a wind tunnel and judged based on their performance, construction quality, material selection, and level of creativity and innovation. Students must also demonstrate knowledge of wind energy principles as part of the judging criteria.

This first annual KidWind Challenge saw dozens of budding scientists and engineers! Watch a video created by the 2011 winners from Haines High School here.

KidWind Challenge 2012: The 2012 KidWind Challenge is underway.  Participating schools will test their blade design this spring. To learn more about the KidWind Challenge, visit the KidWind page on the WiDAC website.

Congratulations to the winners of the first annual Alaska KidWind Challenge:

High School
1st Place: Team Glacier Bear Power – Haines High School
2nd Place: Team Two – Napaaqtugmiut School
3rd Place: Team G-Force – Kake High School

Middle School
1st Place: Team Wind Masters – Tustumena Elementary
2nd Place: Team Jacob – Hoonah City School
3rd Place: The Other Guys – Craig City School

The following schools participated in the 2011 KidWind Challenge:

Begich Middle School, Anchorage
Craig City School, Craig
Haines High School, Haines
Hoonah City School, Hoonah
Kake High School, Kake
Miller House School, Juneau
Mt. Edgecumbe High School, Sitka
Montana Creek, Juneau
Napaaqtugmiut School, Noatak
Tustumena Elementary, Kasilof
West High School, Anchorage