2024 Kansas KidWind Challenge

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 – INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

Wind Energy Teacher Workshop

https://www.kidwind.org/training/workshops

2024 KidWind Challenges

New for 2024!

• Judges Room: The judges panel event will be 10 minutes long instead of 15 minutes long. The presentation will take 3-4 minutes and the Q&A and will take 4-5 minutes. All students will have scores from the same judges based on age divisions. When needed, teams may be called back by judges during their break.
• Wind Tunnel Performance Testing: All teams from both age divisions will have 2 chances to test their wind tunnels. We will not plan for teams to retest due to catastrophic failure. Performance testing runs will be reduced from 60 to 30 seconds.
• Wind Turbine Design: Shrouds are no longer allowed.

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Benefits of KidWind

• Students discover wind energy technology and careers in STEM fields related to renewable energy
• Meet multiple Next Generation Science Standards (e.g., 4-PS3-2, MS-ES22-6, HS-PS3-3, to name just a few)
• Design, build, present, and test a functional wind turbine
• Compete with peers in a supportive environment

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How do the competitions work?

• Teams build their turbines BEFORE attending a regional KidWind Challenge.
• At each challenge, teams will compete in four core areas:
• Performance testing in wind tunnel (measure energy output/calculate efficiency)
• Presentation and judging
• Knowledge quiz
• Instant challenge
• Each team will receive a combined score based upon their performance in these areas.

How do teachers incorporate the KidWind Challenge?

• Teachers make it fit in the way that works best for them
• Open to after-school clubs, homeschool groups, etc. (teams just need a coach)
• Some teachers kick off lessons after winter break and spend a couple weeks on the project; others start in the fall and then come back to it in February.
• Some teachers will use the KidWind Challenge as a capstone project for students
• We typically only allow 2-3 teams per school, so some teachers host an internal competition to decide who will attend a regional Challenge. This lets them involve all their students.
• Some teachers use the WindWise curriculum and Recharge labs located on the Nationals website.

Regional Limits

• Each regional competition will be limited to ~16 teams. If a school registers more than two teams in an age division, additional teams will be placed on a waiting list. If there are less than 16 teams registered for the regional challenges, additional school teams will be added based on registration date. If the regional challenge is full, you can select a different regional challenge, or the extra teams will be removed from the list.
• If you have multiple teams, we encourage you to have a method to reduce the number of teams (e.g., host an internal competition and only bring the top two teams).
• The top two teams in each division (4th-8th and 9th-12th) will be invited to attend the statewide KidWind Challenge. The top two teams in each division at the statewide challenge will be invited to attend the national event.

Who can participate?

• Any student in the 4th-8th or 9th-12th grade.
• There is no restriction on team size, but 3 to 5 students per team is recommended.
• Teams can come from public schools, home schools, after-school clubs, etc.
• Teams need to have an adult (coach) with them at the event (one adult per 10 students).

What does it cost?

• There is no cost to register, only costs for supplies to build the turbine.
• The only required item is a KidWind Generator from Vernier that costs $7. Please reach out to the Kansas Energy Program and generators will be provided to your school.
• Mileage reimbursement and stipends for teacher substitutes are also available.
• Lunch is provided.

What does the day look like?

• Teams arrive between 8am and 9am.
• Teams rotate through the four areas of the competition (a schedule will be provided prior to the event date).
• There will be a presentation by a KidWind Challenge sponsor while scores are tallied (approximately 3pm).
• Winners will be announced at approximately 3:30pm, so teams can be on the road around 4pm.
• Times will shift based on number of teams.

Staging area

Practice wind tunnel

Performance wind tunnel

Judges Panel

Knowledge Quiz

Instant Challenge

Basic Rules

• A KidWind turbine generator (only 1 per turbine) is the only required part: https://www.vernier.com/product/kidwind-wind-turbine-generator-with-wires/ (we will provide these as needed)
• Kansas does not currently have an “open generator” division
• Only one team has managed to produce enough energy (126 Joules) to melt their generator!
• Each team must have its own turbine and base
• Each team must have a coach – coaches are responsible for registering team and managing progress
• Visit https://kansasenergyprogram.org/educators/kidwind-challenge for more information. Scroll down to “KidWind Resources” for the rules and logistics.

Basic Rules (continued)

• The turbine must fit inside a 48”x48” wind tunnel (allow some room).
• The turbine must be free-standing (has its own tower). We will provide weights to help hold turbine in place.
• Power must be generated solely by wind (you cannot “help” get it started).
• You are allowed to use purchased parts (other than pre-made airfoils), but points are awarded for creativity and economical use of resources.
• Blades must use safe materials (avoid metal, plexiglass, or anything with sharp edges).

Basic Rules (continued)

• When measuring power output from the turbine during the KidWind Challenge, it will be hooked up to a 30-ohm resistor to create a load, so don’t forget to test it that way.
• Approximate wind speed in the tunnel is 3.5 meters/second (7.8 mph), so make sure to test your device for high winds.

Competition Testing Equipment

• Competition-grade KidWind Wind Tunnel
• Fans pull air through tunnel instead of pushing air out
• Energy Sensor
• Vernier Go Direct Energy Sensor
• Measures energy output over time
• Connects to computers, tablets, and �phones using “Graphical Analysis” �program
• Anemometer
• Measures wind speed

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Cancellation or Rescheduling

• If at least two schools (with five total teams) aren't registered for a regional Challenge at least two weeks ahead of the event, the Challenge may be cancelled. In this case, a school may choose to switch to a different regional event.
• In the event of possible cancellation due to �weather, we will be in close contact with coaches. �Our goal will be to �cancel the event the �evening before the �challenge.

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Introducing 2019 Kansas State Champions…Oxford Air Sharks!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JVMETYxDvoijE2pSdZmqgYiitE5uZkFm/view

The ONLY Kansas team to melt a KidWind Generator to date!

Meet the 2023 Kansas Champions (4^th-8^th)

Meet the 2023 Kansas Champions (9^th-12th)

2023 National �KidWind Challenge

Registration

• Register as soon as possible. For now, we really just need your contact information, which Challenge you plan to attend, and how many teams you’ll be bringing. We’ll get the rest later!
• Choose the regional event which makes the most sense for your team(s). 
• Registration links and location details can be found at: https://kansasenergyprogram.org/educators/kidwind-challenge/upcoming-events

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Registration (cont.)

Lending Library

• Restrictions on availability will apply for equipment required for Regional and State KidWind Challenges
• Kansas Energy Program is also available for outreach and presentations on energy-related topics
• Equipment available other than KidWind-related

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Breakout Room

• Also available for loan
• Currently two topics available: energy efficiency (using lightbox) and energy auditing
• Can your team beat the clock?

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Contacts

• David Carter, CEM, CMVP
• Kurt Foley, CEM, CMVP, CDSM
• Ryan Hamel, PE, CEM, CMVP
• Mandy Putnam, MS Curriculum and Instruction

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https://kansasenergyprogram.org

ksenergyprog@ksu.edu – 785-532-6026