Kansas Kids Build Wind Turbines for State Championship

Thirty-six teams of Kansas elementary students are proving that clean energy innovation starts young, building their own wind turbines to compete for the state championship this Saturday in Salina.

The Kansas KidWind Challenge drew a record 106 finalist teams representing 25 schools across the state. Winners advance to the World KidWind Challenge in Madison, Wisconsin, next month.

Students designed, built, and tested model wind turbines that actually generate electricity. They'll be judged on turbine performance in a wind tunnel, a knowledge quiz, an instant challenge, and a presentation about their designs.

To build excitement before the finals, a unique shark-shaped high-speed wind tunnel toured Kansas schools this week. The massive shark head blasts wind speeds up to 22 miles per hour from its mouth, giving students a chance to test their turbines at four times the normal competition speed.

The shark stopped at Elmont Elementary in Topeka, which has two finalist teams, plus Logan Elementary in Topeka and Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Manhattan. Kids lined up to see their turbines spin in the powerful airflow.

"In life, we have challenges all the time. We have to problem-solve all the time," said Stacy Harris, Kansas Energy Program instructor and KidWind promoter. "Giving kids the chance to really engineer and focus and challenge helps them connect with careers that will help us in the future."

Dick Anderson, a KidWind advisor from Wisconsin, built the shark wind tunnel specifically for the program. The design came from an old Jaws movie prop he once repaired in his hometown that sparked the creative idea.

"Building a rocket ship takes a lot of time and energy, but the real fun is riding on it," Anderson said. "Students get to design, build, and test these wind turbines, and then they can have some real fun when they test them in this high-velocity wind tunnel."

The Ripple Effect

These young engineers aren't just learning about renewable energy. They're developing problem-solving skills that translate far beyond the competition floor.

The hands-on challenge gives students real experience with engineering design, electricity generation, and teamwork. Many will carry these skills into future careers in clean energy and technology fields Kansas needs to fill.

By making energy education fun and competitive, programs like KidWind are inspiring the next generation of innovators who'll tackle tomorrow's environmental challenges.

Kansas kids are proving that the future of clean energy is in good hands.