WindWinRI Renewable Energy Educator Workshop

This 2-day WindWinRI workshop for traditional & non-traditional Middle & High School educators will provide you with the knowledge, resources, and mentoring required to effectively bring wind energy concepts into your classroom and work-based learning experiences to your students-field trips.

Covering the technology, politics, and economics of offshore wind, this grant-funded workshop is led by WindWinRI, KidWind, Industry and Higher Education professionals. It will prepare you to begin to introduce basic energy, engineering, and environmental concepts, as well as career information. Or advance to incorporating the rigorous, industry-led WindWinRI Certificate into your curriculum; including participation in the annual High School & Middle School Wind Turbine Competition and empowering high school students to earn three college credits for ENGR 1020 at CCRI.

Educators will learn:

• Renewable Energy in RI
• Electricity Basics
• How to Build Wind Turbines
• Turbine Blade Design & Testing
• Data Collection & Analysis Tools
• Team Activities

Educators Will Receive:

• WindWise Curriculum
• MS – Firefly Kits (mini-turbines)
• HS – Wind Turbine Kits
• Access to WhiteBox Software
• Ongoing Mentoring & Technical support

Dates: Tuesday and Wednesday, July 21-22, 2026 8:30- 4:30 PM

Light breakfast and lunch provided.

Who is WindWinRI?

WindWinRI – is a renewable energy Initiative for youth housed at the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce. Developed to introduce educators and youth to the engineering, environmental, economic and political aspects of RI’s Offshore Wind Industry, the initiative introduces educators and students to wind energy and related renewable energy.

Funded by grants from the RI Department of Labor & Training and the US Department of Education, the program has partnered since 2017 with industry, higher education and RI high & middle schools to develop a comprehensive program including:

• The Annual RI Wind Turbine Competition (a qualifying event for KidWind World Challenge). In 2026, 23 teams and 75 students participated in the 6th Annual event.
• Student Field Trips: BI Wind Farm by boat, to college campuses meeting industry & higher education experts and hands-on skill building workshops
• Students earning the WindWinRI Certificate (including 3 CCRI College Credits)
• Educator Workshops: introductory, advanced and CCRI adjunct faculty status
• Classroom curriculum, mentoring, supplies, and materials
• Incorporating WindWinRI Certificate in RI CTE Environmental & Engineering pre-engineering programs

Since 2017, over 50 RI high school students have earned the WindWinRI Certificate. 29 are attending various types of college engineering programs and 7 other college programs. 6 students went directly into related careers including one laying cable for Vineyard Wind.