Students from US states Wisconsin and Kansas competed in the KidWind Challenge last weekend by handcrafting small-scale wind turbines or solar structures to harness energy.
KidWind is an organisation focused on helping educators and students learn about renewable energy.
In Kansas, students from Leavenworth to Paola, ranging from fourth through 12th grade, travelled to Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant to participate in the event and learning activity.
EDP Renewables North America, a KidWind sponsor, and staff from Cloud County Community College attended to judge the event.
“We are honoured to help KidWind educate and inspire these young students,” said Waverly Wind Farm senior operations manager Pat Cheever.
“KidWind presents great opportunities for kids to learn more about the science behind the wind and solar industries and to understand if they want to consider working in the renewables field later in life,” Cheever added.
EDP Renewables owns and operates the 199MW Waverly Wind Farm in Coffey County.
The company frequently partners with Cloud County Community College and other community members to provide educational opportunities for students interested in the renewables industry.
Four teams were named winners: Electric Four from Coffey County 4-H; Paola Team 1 from Paola Middle School; Westside Turbines from Paola High School; and Spring Hill High School and Memes from Chase County Sr High.
These teams will advance to the statewide competition on 4 April in Topeka.
In 2019, the Electric Four team advanced to the national competition, and they received a travel scholarship from EDP Renewables North America.
KidWind will host more events across the US before their national competition held at the American Wind Energy Association Exhibition & Conference on 2-4 June in Denver, Colorado.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, students from across the state gathered at the Energy Institute to compete in the Wisconsin State KidWind Challenge on 7 March.
Eighteen schools from eight school districts participated, with students ranging from fifth to 12th grade.
“Middle and high school students who have participated in a KidWind Challenge know more about the design and building of a wind turbine than most people,” said KidWind advisor, Dick Anderson.
Four teams were named winners: The Gusty Goons from Darlington High School; HAWT-ies from Darlington High School; The Quilt Blockers from Darlington High School; and Mauston Juniors from Mauston High School.