KidWind

A hands-on study of wind energy, KidWind is a program that empowers students in grades 7-12 to work in teams using the engineering design process. Tasked to design a wind turbine that produces maximum power, students are challenged to design, build, test, and improve turbine blades all the while learning more behind the science of this renewable energy source. Read on to learn more about the benefits of this classroom program. 

Classroom Benefits

  • Comprehensive curriculum, materials, and ongoing support – all at no charge.
  • Essential resources, including lesson plans, activities, and lab materials that engage and excite students.
  • Stipends for teachers upon completion of program requirements. 

How it Works

  • Follow the link below to register for this 2022-23 school year. Teachers will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. 
  • Upon registering, OEP will mail all curriculum and supplies directly to your school at no cost. 
  • Upon receiving your kit, we welcome you to implement KidWind as you see fit–with your whole class, energy team, or science club–during the 2022-23 school year. 
    • OEP recommends implementing the program with a group size of about 2 students across 3-6 class periods (time will be variable depending on grade and course). 
  • After finishing the program, you will need to complete a post-program teacher evaluation, complete with project photos and videos, documenting how you used the resources in the classroom.
  • Upon completion of the above requirements, a stipend will be sent. 
Register Now

KidWind Classroom Resources

OEP recommends the resources from TeachEngineering.org for introducing the design process. View a short video and learn the seven step process from their website. 

 

Try this brainstorming icebreaker before students start brainstorming blade design ideas. 

How-To Videos

 

Turbine Video Tours

 

Additional Videos

To receive a stipend, you will need to complete the teacher evaluation. The evaluation requires photo and video documentation. You can choose how you do this; either submit a single project or a compilation of projects. You will also have the option to nominate 1 or 2 projects for special awards (listed below). Any projects submitted for special awards will require a team photo, video and the students’ datasheet. If your students do not have a signed school release, do not include them in the picture/video.

Teacher Nominated Awards:

  • Best use of engineering design process
  • Creative or artistic use of materials
  • Outstanding group teamwork
  • Most creative video

Optional Opportunities:

  1. Students can submit their projects to the KidWind Portal. Share your projects with other schools…and see what other schools are doing. This year there is no limit on the number of projects you can enter. View the KidWind Challenge portal to submit projects. 

Wind-at-a-Glance

 

Intermediate Resources

 

Secondary Resources

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, is the true story of William Kamkwamba. William was 14 when he was forced to drop out of school because his family was unable to pay his tuition. Using his own ingenuity, a book from the library and scrap materials, he built a wind turbine provide light to his family’s home. 

 

Intermediate/Secondary Resources:

OEP is proud to partner with KidWind on our design challenges. View their website.

 

KidWind’s WindWise curriculum may be helpful for students who want to futher their learning on a particular topic. Lessons listed below can be downloaded separately. 

 

Lesson 1-Understanding Forms & Sources of Energy
Lesson 2-Understanding Electric Power Generation
Lesson 3-What is the Cost of Inefficiency?
Lesson 4-What Causes Wind?
Lesson 5-Where is It Windy?
Lesson 6-What are Wind Shear & Turbulence?
Lesson 7-Can Wind Power Your Classroom?
Lesson 8-How Does a Windmill Work?
Lesson 9-How Does a Generator Work?
Lesson 10-Which Blades are Best?
Lesson 11-How Can I Design Better Blades?
Lesson 12-How Does Energy Affect Wildlife?
Lesson 13-What is Wind Power’s Risk to Birds?
Lesson 14-Can We Reduce Risk to Bats?
Lesson 15-Are Birds Impacted by Small Turbines?
Lesson 16-How Do People Feel About Wind?
Lesson 17-What Factors Influence Offshore Wind?
Lesson 18-Where Do You Put a Wind Farm?
Lesson 19-When is a Wind Farm a Good Investment?

 

View Learning Standards for Grades 7 & 8, Physical Science, Physics, Physical Geology & Environmental Science

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