Weaver was a member of a KidWind team from 2019-2022 and competed in the 2021 National Challenge. She said the experience provided academic and practical lessons as well as the confidence to teach adults in her community about renewable energy.
Wisconsin KidWind has named recent Darlington High School graduate Laura Weaver winner of the 2023 WI KidWind Alumni award for her contributions to the hands-on wind energy competition over the past four years.
Weaver was a member of a KidWind team from 2019-2022 and competed in the 2021 National Challenge. She said the experience provided academic and practical lessons as well as the confidence to teach adults in her community about renewable energy.
“I learned a lot in KidWind,” Weaver said. “How to build gear trains, the theoretical power equation, the Betz limit, how to use tools. But I also learned why renewable energy is an important part of everyone's future.”
Weaver will attend UW-Platteville in the fall and plans to major in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in manufacturing and design.
The KidWind Challenge is a hands-on design celebration that engages students through the lens of wind and solar energy. Student teams design, construct and test small scale wind turbines and solar structures at events all over the world.
The Wisconsin KidWind Alumni award is given annually to a graduating high school senior who has been involved with Wisconsin KidWind during their middle or high school career. Applicants submit essay responses that demonstrate thoughtful reflection on both the impact KidWind has had on their life and their vision for renewable energy in Wisconsin. Support for this award is provided by KidWind partners.
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