The 5th annual Alaska State Clean Energy Olympics wrapped up in April with a new batch of champions as well as some inspiring examples of creativity, perseverance, and Indigenous knowledge.

The 2023 Clean Energy Olympics was once again a hybrid event. Five teams competed in-person on April 1st at Palmer High School and another eight teams presented their projects virtually in the first week of April. Teams representing Anchorage, Wasilla, Galena, and Gambell ranging from 4th to 10th grade engineered model wind turbines that they tested for power output in a wind tunnel or using a fan at their school. Each team presented their designs to expert judges who evaluated them based on design innovation and appearance, data collection and documentation, and presentation quality. The students also took knowledge tests evaluating their energy and climate literacy.

Although the in-person showcase and virtual presentations were full of inspiring moments, the real magic happened throughout the student’s engineering design journey.

The Design Process

Students began designing their wind turbines in February. Most teams started with a KidWind model wind turbine and began designing blades that meticulously balanced the forces of friction, drag, and lift. All teams went through various iterations, testing different variables like number of blades, blade shape, blade material, and pitch angle. With every independent variable changed the students had to simultaneously adjust other variables to find the perfect combination.

The design process challenged teams to work collaboratively, failing and succeeding together, while helping support one another.

Full Competition Results

* teams attending the National KidWind Challenge

Elementary Division

  • 1st Place- Blade Runners (American Charter Academy, Wasilla)*
  • 2nd Place- Chinook Winds (American Charter Academy, Wasilla)

Middle School In-Person Division

  • 1st Place- Denali (American Charter Academy, Wasilla)*
  • 2nd Place- Williwaw Paw (American Charter Academy, Wasilla)
  • 3rd Place- Windy 500 (American Charter Academy, Wasilla)

Middle School Virtual Division

  • 1st Place- KPO-Q Wind Blazer (John Apangalook School, Gambell)* 
  • 2nd Place- The Struggle (Sidney C. Huntington School, Galena)
  • 3rd Place- Wild Winds (Sidney C. Huntington School, Galena)

High School Division

  • 1st Place- The Unknown (Dimond High School, Anchorage)*
  • 2nd Place- ILTO (Dimond High School, Anchorage)*
  • 3rd Place- KieKat’s 3D Blades (John Apangalook School, Gambell) *
Team Williwaw Paw from American Charter Academy shows off their 2nd Place certificates with their coaches, Carol and Dan Drake.
Five teams from Alaska have qualified for the National KidWind Challenge in Boulder, CO May 14-17. Congratulations to Blade Runners, Denali, KPO-Q Wind Blazer, The Unknown ILTO, and KieKat’s 3D Blades for being chosen to represent Alaska at Nationals! We know you’ll blow away the competition!
Team Blade Runners carefully positioning their turbine in the wind tunnel
Our stellar team of judges making difficult decisions. Why can’t everyone just get 1st place?!

It Takes a Village

The 2023 Clean Energy Olympics was organized by Renewable Energy Alaska Project and sponsored by Cook Inlet Region Inc., Matanuska Electric Association, Alaska Energy Authority, and the Office of Naval Research.

Thank you to Palmer High School and the Palmer High School Culinary Program for providing an amazing venue and food for our in-person showcase. And thank you to all the volunteer judges, coaches, and parents for supporting Alaska’s young engineers! See y’all next year!

By Tyler KatzmarApril 27th, 2023

Classroom EducationEngineering DesignK-12 STEMKidWind