KidWind is a hands-on design celebration that engages students through the lens of wind and solar energy. Student teams design and build small-scale wind turbines and solar structures at home or school and bring them to events all over the world to measure power output and present in front of expert judges. The Wisconsin KidWind Challenge is open to 3-12th grade students and educators across the state and feeds into the National KidWind Competition.
2026 Wisconsin KidWind Challenge
Put a team together to participate in Challenge on March 7th, 2026 at the Discovery Building at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
At the WI KidWind Challenge, student teams will:
- test their device - wind turbine teams test energy output in a wind tunnel and solar teams demonstrate their structure under the solar arch
- present in front of a panel of expert judges
- complete instant challenges that test teamwork and hands-on thinking
- meet with college students studying renewable energy
- explore careers in clean energy
Educator Workshops
Educator Workshops take place throughout the summer fall for teachers and other adults interested in becoming coaches or bringing KidWind to their community. See the full schedule and learn more here.
Thanks for putting on a GREAT competition! Our kids were very excited the whole ride home and continue to be today. They already have been coming up to me the last two days asking to get back in the lab to try new stuff.
Wisconsin KidWind Coach
Why participate in the KidWind challenge?
It is a HUGE deal for our students to even think of getting to compete in Madison. We had a parent with every single student. Some grandparents came from other states to show their support! Thank you!
Wisconsin KidWind Coach
Wisconsin KidWind Alumni Award
KidWinders are amazing, and KidWind alumni go on to do great things in the world. The Wisconsin Energy Institute is thrilled to celebrate and support KidWind alumni as they move on to their next chapter after high school graduation. The WI KidWind Alumni award is a chance for graduating high school seniors who have participated in the Wisconsin KidWind Challenge at some point in their K-12 career to receive $500 to be used toward their future endeavors. To apply, students must write an essay and submit a brief application form. Applications open late March 2024 and will be announced April 2024.
