KidWind Challenge
What is KidWind?
The KidWind Challenge is a hands-on design competition that engages students in STEM through the lens of wind energy. Student teams design and construct small wind turbines that they test in a wind tunnel- attempting to generate the most electrical energy. Teams also present their design process and demonstrate their conceptual knowledge on renewable energy.
Our Regional Challenge
Willow Bend Environmental Education Center invites educators and students to join the annual KidWind Challenge. Willow Bend hosts the Northern Arizona regional event, held at Coconino Center for the Arts in April each year. Participation is free, with ample support from us, and students have the chance to win exciting prizes.
A big thank you to our 2025 challenge participants, coaches, and sponsors! We had 2 teams go on to compete at the Kidwind World Challenge this year!
KidWind in your classroom
Willow Bend gets schools started by bringing the competition to them! A typical school session will occur over 3-4 days:
Day 1: Ice breaker windmill design challenge
Day 2: Intro to renewable energy and the design challenge. Start building wind turbines!
Day 3: Continue building turbines, and start testing in our wind tunnel.
Day 4: Competition day- see who can produce the most energy in the wind tunnel! The top teams are invited to our regional challenge.
KidWind FAQ
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Any group of students in 9th-12th grade is eligible to enter a team in the KidWind Challenge. Teams can include students from public and private schools, home schoolers, after school clubs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, etc. As long as you have an adult coach, you can participate! Each Team can have 2-5 students, and the team must have an adult mentor. The mentor will be responsible for registering the team for the competition and managing the team's progress. A teacher/group leader can mentor multiple teams (for example, if you have a whole class or club participating).
(4th-8th grade students can still compete in KidWind - see kidwind.org for more details)
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Willow Bend hosts the Northern Arizona Kidwind Regional event each year in April. Teams get up to 3 tests in our wind tunnel to try to get the highest energy score they can. Teams also give a short presentation to a panel of judges. The top 2 teams from the regional event can go on to compete at the KidWind Worlds Competition!
Optionally, Willow Bend will hold mini challenges in schools before the big regional event.
If you can’t make it in person, there is also an opportunity for teams to compete in the Online Wind Challenge.
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Our classroom visits typically happen in the late winter and spring.
Our regional event is held in April, and the Worlds competition is held in late May.
Teams can work on their projects any time of year to get ready for the competition in the spring.
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Willow Bend often has resources to get schools started. If you need support getting started, e-mail info@willowbendcenter.org
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Are you an Arizona educator thinking about doing the AZ KidWind Challenge with your classroom or club, but don't know where to start? KidWind Project has upcoming (virtual) Teacher Trainings. We often have scholarships available for these trainings.
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Check out the KidWind Challenge Rulebook
or e-mail info@willowbendcenter.org with any questions.
