This challenge invites students from around the region to build, showcase and test turbines as well as to make a presentation to judges. Each turbine will be tested twice with the highest score being accepted.
The South Colonie Central School District will host this year’s regional Kidwind Challenge, the industry-leading renewable energy design and construction student competition that encourages renewable energy education in the classroom. This year’s event will measure power produced as well as have students make presentations to judges at Sand Creek Middle School on Saturday, March 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity,” said South Colonie STEM teacher and On-Site Energy Manager James Brown. “At the beginning of the school year, we ask our students if they want to get involved. We have students who have been working on their designs since September and will continue to meet weekly until the event in March. They are really committed to the process of fine-tuning their design.”
Students in grades 4 to 12 can participate in the South Colonie regional KidWind event. Prizes will be awarded to a middle school division in grades 4-8 and a high school division in grades 9-12. Top teams from this regional competition will be invited to compete at the World KidWind Challenge championship event in Minneapolis, Mn, the week of May 5th.
“This presents a fantastic opportunity for students to collaborate,” said Dr. David Perry, superintendent of schools. “We recognize the pivotal role STEM education plays in fostering critical thinking and innovation and we are dedicated to ensuring students continue to have access to these valuable opportunities.”
South Colonie School District, under the leadership of Brown, has participated in the challenge for years. In 2023, a team of two students from South Colonie “The Two Dominators” participated in and took home the National Champion Award at the national competition. The team, led by Brown, participated among more than 84 teams in the event held in Boulder, CO.
Registration for the event is now open. There is no limit to the number of teams that can participate. Register here.
About the KidWind Project
The KidWind Project, an international leader in renewable energy education, has been working with educators and students to integrate renewable energy into classrooms for over 15 years. Since 2004, KidWind has held more than 800 training events for more than 50,000 teachers all over the world. For more information about our trainings, challenges and curricular materials, visit the kidwind website.
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